The new Sanders-Casar “Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act” is the perfect embodiment of authoritarian thinking. Jail time for innovators, corporate death penalties, flat innovation bans, an unprecedented general-purpose technology regulator, ambiguous threats against “rogue actors,” and even hints of hostile actions against foreign governments who continue to develop advanced AI systems.
If America followed this techno-totalitarian script, it would represent one of the greatest expansions of government power in our nation’s history and a de facto declaration of technological surrender in the AI and robotics revolution as China races ahead on both fronts.
The ramifications for our national security are horrifying.
Bernie Sanders and Greg Casar introduced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act today. It will:
- ban the development or deployment of Artificial Superintelligence, aka any AI that 'exceeds human cognitive performance and capabilities across most domains, or has sufficient capabilities to destroy or disempower humanity, including by overthrowing the federal government'
- pause 'Advanced AI development' until a new federal AI regulatory body is up and running and has established clear rules and model-review processes
- establish a new cabinet-level federal Department of Artificial Intelligence (this should be the Department of Super Intelligence, there must be some mistake)
-set penalties for any person or entity that attempts to violate or circumvent the pauses and prohibitions in the bill: 'Entities shall be subject to the corporate death penalty, and persons shall be subject to not more than 20 years in prison'
- set the international policy of the United States to 'pursue international agreements, allied coordination, and policies such as export controls to prevent the development of artificial superintelligence anywhere in the world'
Sep 23, 2026 · 9:00 PM UTC
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