US Senator Bernie Sanders recently said he intends to introduce legislation banning AI superintelligence and propose a sovereign wealth fund in which the US would take a 50% stake in AI companies.
Details of the proposal
Sanders described the legislation as a way to prevent AI from surpassing human control. He also outlined a fund structure under which the government would hold half ownership in major AI firms. The senator presented the idea as a means to ensure public benefit from rapid advances in the technology. The independent senator, who often collaborates with Democratic lawmakers, spoke to BBC Newsnight about his concerns that artificial intelligence could overtake humanity. He stated the goal is to stop AI superintelligence from emerging unchecked.
Political requirements
Passage would depend on support in a Republican-led Congress and approval from President Trump. Any bill would require approval from both houses of Congress, currently controlled by Republicans, and the signature of President Donald Trump to become law. Trump has championed US government investment in AI companies to create almost a partnership with the American public. Sanders would need to navigate this divided political landscape to advance the measure banning AI superintelligence and establishing the 50% stake fund.
Context of the announcement
Sanders made the comments during an interview with BBC Newsnight. He has raised concerns about artificial intelligence overtaking humanity. The senator intends to introduce legislation that would ban AI superintelligence while creating the sovereign wealth fund structure. Updates from your News topics will appear in My News and in a collection on the News homepage. The proposal ties the ban directly to the fund that would give the US government a 50% stake in AI companies.
Key implications
The legislation aims to address risks of AI surpassing human oversight through an outright ban on superintelligence. At the same time the sovereign wealth fund would secure public ownership stakes. Both elements require congressional passage and presidential signature under current Republican control of Congress and with President Trump in office.