Progressive Democrats push superintelligence ban
“Candidates have got to start talking about it now,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
Progressive Democrats are introducing a groundbreaking bill aimed at banning "AI superintelligence" – advanced artificial intelligence systems that surpass human capabilities. This legislation, spearheaded by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Greg Casar, is seen as a top priority for Congress and potential Democratic presidential hopefuls. The urgency surrounding the issue is palpable, with Sanders emphasizing that candidates must begin discussing the matter now, ideally before the incoming Congress convenes next year.
The proposed legislation extends beyond simply banning superintelligence. It also targets "recursive self-improvement" in AI and proposes the establishment of a new Cabinet-level agency to regulate the technology. Casar argues that Congress must take a more comprehensive approach to addressing the potential dangers posed by AI, suggesting that previous proposals have fallen short of tackling the scale of the issue effectively.
While the likelihood of Congress enacting this legislation during the current lame-duck session is slim, Democrats will need to address a multitude of competing proposals in the next Congress if they regain control of the House or Senate. Sen. Mark Kelly plans to introduce his own AI bill, which includes creating a fund that tech companies would contribute to, aimed at workforce development to help Americans adapt to the changing economic landscape brought about by AI advancements.
This bill comes amid growing demands from the Democratic base for action on a range of other priorities, including restrictions on aid to Israel and investigations into the president.
Written by urgent.news from Semafor's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
