WASHINGTON, USA: US Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Greg Casar have announced forthcoming legislation to permanently ban the development and deployment of artificial superintelligence, warning that increasingly powerful AI systems could pose unprecedented risks to human control, national security and public safety.
The Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act would also temporarily halt advanced AI development until a new federal regulator establishes safety rules and model-review procedures. The legislation further calls for international agreements to prevent superintelligence from being developed anywhere in the world.
If the leaders of the major AI companies admit that they are losing control of their extremely dangerous technology, it is time for an immediate PAUSE on advanced AI development and a permanent BAN on superintelligence. pic.twitter.com/0FQo4risiD
— Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) September 3, 2026
Proposed law would create a new federal AI agency and impose severe penalties
Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, said major technology companies themselves have acknowledged that they do not fully understand or control some of the systems they are developing. He argued that the future of humanity should not be left in the hands of a small number of powerful technology companies.
Artificial superintelligence would risk the security, freedom, and lives of Americans.
Bernie Sanders and I are introducing a bill to ban it. pic.twitter.com/yT2B16PiEM
— Congressman Greg Casar (@RepCasar) September 3, 2026
“If we allow Artificial Superintelligence to be built, it could risk the security, freedom, and lives of Americans,” Casar said, arguing that advanced AI remains insufficiently regulated despite its potentially serious consequences.
The proposed legislation would prohibit any person or entity from developing or deploying AI systems capable of matching or exceeding human cognitive abilities across a broad range of tasks, or systems capable of undermining human authority, including through attempts to overthrow or weaken governments.
Read Also: New York City Bans AI in Schools Through Eighth Grade
The bill would also establish a new cabinet-level federal agency responsible for monitoring frontier AI systems throughout their lifecycle, supervising the removal of dangerous capabilities and overseeing the destruction of prohibited superintelligent systems.
An Artificial Intelligence Advisory Board made up of AI experts would provide independent scientific and technical advice to the proposed agency.
SITUATION EXPLAINED: Bernie Sanders introduced a bill to permanently ban superintelligence.
• The Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act, with Rep. Greg Casar
• It permanently bans developing or deploying superintelligent AI, and temporarily pauses advanced AI development until… https://t.co/zOtSzbpgbJ pic.twitter.com/9WEBxmNFAv— MTS (@MTSlive) September 3, 2026
Severe penalties proposed
The legislation would impose strict penalties on individuals and companies attempting to violate or circumvent the proposed restrictions. Companies could face a “corporate death penalty,” while individuals could face up to 20 years in prison, according to the lawmakers.
Sanders and Casar cited recent incidents involving advanced AI systems, including claims that AI agents operated beyond their intended restrictions and conducted unauthorised activities. They also raised concerns over the potential use of AI in developing biological threats.
Read Also: Australia Bans AI-Generated Songs from Top Music Charts
The bill would additionally direct the US government to pursue international agreements, cooperation with allies and measures such as export controls aimed at preventing the development of artificial superintelligence worldwide.
