A new bill could ban powerful AI in the US — here's what it means for ChatGPT

As AI technology rapidly progresses, some lawmakers are expressing concerns over the potential risks associated with increasingly powerful systems. Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Greg Casar have introduced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act of 2026, a bill aimed at regulating the development of artificial superintelligence in the United States.

This legislation would permanently ban the creation of AI systems that could outperform humans in most intellectual tasks, out of fear that they may become uncontrollable or pose existential threats to humanity. The bill also proposes the establishment of a new federal Department of Artificial Intelligence, giving it the power to oversee AI development, enforce safety regulations, and inspect models prior to release.

Violations of the law could result in severe penalties, including up to 20 years in prison for those responsible. Currently, the bill is pending in committee and has not yet become law, but it highlights how some lawmakers want to steer the direction of AI development due to the potential dangers of artificial superintelligence.