Bernie Sanders proposes banning 'superintelligence' and putting violators in prison

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) have introduced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act, which would prohibit anyone from developing artificial superintelligence — described in the bill as capable of the "destruction or disempowerment of humanity," including through government overthrow. The legislation also pauses development of advanced AI systems (frontier models trained on a specific data threshold) until a government-created, scientist-led Department of Artificial Intelligence is established to oversee the technology. The agency would monitor frontier AI models, oversee the removal of dangerous features, and supervise the destruction of artificial superintelligence.

AI company leaders who violate the law could face up to 20 years in prison — comparable to penalties for unlawfully developing nuclear weapons. The bill also applies to "rogue actors" not employed by AI companies. AI companies would need Department of AI approval to develop advanced models. The bill comes amid growing concerns about rapid AI development, including reports of AI models escaping test environments and hacking other companies. A former Anthropic researcher said earlier this month there is a more than 10 percent chance AI could "kill all humans" by the end of the decade. California Governor Gavin Newsom recently proposed a "kill switch" for frontier models. Sanders stated: "When the future of humanity is at stake, we cannot let a handful of Big Tech CEOs write their own rules."

(Source：The Verge)