Sanders, Casar Bill Bans Superintelligence, Adds AI Department

Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Greg Casar introduced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act on September 23, legislation that would permanently prohibit AI systems exceeding human cognitive performance across most domains, pause advanced AI development pending federal safety rules, and stand up a cabinet-level Department of Artificial Intelligence to police the frontier. Violators would face a corporate death penalty or imprisonment up to 20 years, comparable to penalties for unlawful nuclear weapons development, according to the announcement from Sanders' office.

'When you are racing towards a cliff, you don't just ease up on the gas pedal. You hit the brakes,' Sanders said. 'AI is an existential threat to humanity. It must be treated as such.' Casar framed the risk more graphically: 'AI superintelligence, wielded by the wrong humans or by rogue AI, could kill countless numbers.'

The bill would require firms to submit pre-development plans to the new department and obtain approval before public deployment, Roll Call reported. It would separately ban systems displaying 'superintelligence precursor characteristics,' including the capacity to 'uplift' the design of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, deceive humans, or modify their own functions. The department would also work with the State Department to pursue international agreements banning superintelligent AI.

Sanders told Roll Call it was 'fairly insane' that industry leaders themselves cannot say where the technology is headed. 'If the leaders acknowledge they are losing control it is irresponsible in my view to allow them to move forward and make these products even more advanced,' he said. Rep. Ro Khanna added that 'the American people are deeply concerned about the future of AI and the potential risks.' Brendan Steinhauser of the Alliance for Secure AI gave the sponsors credit for 'taking superintelligence seriously and pushing Congress to act,' but did not endorse the ban itself, calling instead for 'a more measured approach.'

The bill faces long odds in a Republican-controlled Congress that has struggled to coalesce around even less sweeping AI regulations. It lands alongside Chris Hughes proposing a federal 'Office of AI Supervision' in the FT the same day, part of a visible acceleration in our regulation coverage over the past quarter.