Dems grapple with how to pace the AI race
The left's push to rein in AI is taking shape on two fronts: slowing advanced development at home, and weakening China's progress abroad. Why it matters: The nation is locked in a moment of mass anxiety about runaway AI, but the range of views on how to regulate it are as varied as the what-ifs about social, economic and security impacts. There's agreement among the left something has to be done,…
Democrats are grappling with the pace of the AI race, approaching the issue from two angles: curbing advanced development domestically and impeding China's progress abroad. The nation is experiencing a surge of anxiety surrounding rapid AI advancements, yet the regulatory landscape remains diverse, with no single leading voice. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders and progressive Representative Greg Casar introduced a bill on Wednesday to prohibit superintelligence and temporarily halt advanced development until a new Cabinet-level Department of Artificial Intelligence is established to ensure oversight.
Sanders expressed concern over being labeled an alarmist, stating that he would rather be seen as a concerned citizen than someone neglectful in his role. Casar stressed the importance of not waiting for an international agreement, pointing out that China uses American models to train their AI models, and slowing down U.S. development will also restrain China's advancements.
On the other hand, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer, Andy Kim, and Elissa Slotkin proposed a different approach, focusing on limiting foreign AI capabilities. Schumer urged for maintaining stringent export controls and preventing China from gaining access to advanced chips and chip-making equipment necessary to narrow the gap.
Casar emphasized that Sanders' and his legislation aims to stop the race towards disaster. While there isn't full agreement within the progressive camp, some members, like Warren, have backed a pause on advanced AI but have not endorsed a ban on superintelligence, unlike Sanders. Other potential 2028 contenders also diverge in their stance, with some stopping short of calling for a pause and instead advocating for a U.S.-China agreement to pace AI development.
As Trump is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, AI is likely to be a focal point of the talks, with both nations discussing methods to manage shared risks. The three proposals introduced by Democrats could become a key issue in the upcoming November midterms.
Written by urgent.news from Axios's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
