In brief
US Senator Bernie Sanders announced a controversial proposal to ban AI superintelligence and create a sovereign‑wealth‑fund stake in American AI companies. He told the BBC that the legislation, if passed by both houses of Congress and signed by President Trump, would prevent AI from surpassing human control. The plan also seeks to give the U.S. government fifty percent ownership of AI firms, aiming to align corporate interests with national welfare. Critics question the feasibility of such sweeping regulation and the political hurdles that lie ahead.
In a recent interview with BBC Newsnight, Senator Bernie Sanders revealed a bold plan to outlaw artificial‑intelligence systems capable of superintelligence. He said the bill would make it illegal for companies to develop AI that could surpass human cognition, emphasizing the stakes of a future where machines outpace human decision‑making capacities.
Sanders also outlined a “sovereign‑wealth‑fund” model, proposing that the United States take a 50% stake in AI firms. The objective, he explained, is to ensure that the public’s investments in technology are safeguarded and that AI development aligns with national interests rather than purely corporate profit motives.
The proposal would need to clear both chambers of Congress, which are currently controlled by Republicans, and require the signature of President Donald Trump—a president who, according to Sanders, has supported government investment in AI as a public‑private partnership. Trump’s administration has pushed for AI innovation, yet the policy would be a major shift toward stringent federal oversight.
Sanders warned that if AI systems ever exceed human oversight, the consequences could be catastrophic. He urged lawmakers to act before AI “overtakes humanity.” The debate has sparked intense discussion among technologists, ethicists, and policymakers about the balance between innovation and regulation.
