According to House.gov, Representative Greg Casar of Texas and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont have proposed the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act. The legislation seeks to prevent the creation of AI systems that exceed human control and calls for a temporary halt to advanced AI development pending stronger safety protections.
The proposal would prohibit the development of artificial superintelligence and seek international agreements to prevent its creation worldwide. It also calls for an immediate suspension of other AI capabilities considered dangerous, including systems that could develop biochemical weapons or create new AI systems without human involvement.
Casar argued that uncontrolled AI development could pose serious risks to humanity. Sanders likewise called for enforceable international safety requirements rather than voluntary industry guidelines.
The lawmakers say advanced AI development should remain paused until clear safety requirements are established with input from leading scientific experts. Their proposal places federal oversight and international cooperation at the center of efforts to address potential AI risks.