Bernie Sanders Unveils Bill to Ban Artificial Superintelligence and Pause Advanced

Bernie Sanders unveils legislation to ban artificial superintelligence in the U.S. and pause advanced

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Greg Casar are introducing legislation that would permanently ban the development and deployment of artificial superintelligence while temporarily pausing advanced AI development until federal safety rules are established.

The proposal, known as the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act, would also direct the United States to pursue international agreements aimed at preventing superintelligence from being developed in other countries. Coin Bureau highlighted the legislation in a post on X, citing the newly unveiled measure.

Bill Targets Artificial Superintelligence

Under the proposal announced by Sanders and Casar, the development and deployment of superintelligent AI would be permanently prohibited in the United States. The legislation would also establish a temporary pause on advanced AI development while a new federal regulator creates safety rules and a model review process.

The bill would create a new cabinet-level Department of Artificial Intelligence responsible for overseeing advanced AI systems. According to Sanders' office, the agency would monitor frontier AI systems throughout their lifecycle, supervise the removal of dangerous capabilities and oversee the destruction of artificial superintelligence where required.

The proposal comes as policymakers debate how federal regulation should address increasingly capable AI systems. Sanders and Casar have framed the legislation around concerns that some advanced systems could develop capabilities beyond effective human control.

Proposed Pause and New Federal Oversight

The legislation would not only target superintelligence itself. It would also financial temporarily halt advanced AI development until the proposed federal regulator is established and safety standards are in place.

Once those rules are established, advanced AI systems would be subject to the federal review framework outlined in the legislation. The proposal therefore combines a permanent prohibition on a defined category of AI systems with a temporary pause covering broader advanced AI development.

The bill also contains penalties for attempts to violate or circumvent its restrictions. Sanders' office said entities could face dissolution, while individuals could face prison sentences of up to 20 years.

U.S. Seeks International Cooperation

The proposal extends beyond U.S. borders. It would establish U.S. policy aimed at preventing artificial superintelligence from being developed elsewhere through international agreements, coordination with allies and measures including export controls.

That international component reflects the lawmakers' position that restrictions limited to U.S. developers would not address development of superintelligent systems in other jurisdictions. The bill therefore calls for international coordination as part of its broader approach.

Sanders has continued to focus publicly on AI regulation. In remarks delivered Sept. 15, he called for a global response to risks associated with increasingly markets powerful AI systems, according to his Senate office.

The legislation now places the proposed federal pause, permanent superintelligence ban and international coordination framework before Congress as lawmakers consider how the United States should regulate the next generation of AI systems.

Writer: Victoria Hale
Technology & Blockchain Writer

Victoria Hale writes about blockchain technology, digital infrastructure, and the intersection of emerging technologies with finance. Her articles explore how new protocols and systems are shaping the evolving digital economy.

She prioritises clarity and accuracy when explaining technical developments to a general audience.