In Washington, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont expressed his belief that the risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) may surpass those posed by nuclear weapons. His comments were made during an interview with Caitlin Huey-Burns, a political correspondent for CBS News, prior to his address at the Pro-Human Assembly conference focused on AI.
Sanders announced his intention to introduce legislation next week aimed at instituting a permanent ban on superintelligent AI—defined as AI that exceeds human intelligence and has the potential to operate beyond human control. Additionally, the proposed bill seeks to halt the advancement of sophisticated AI technologies. For those who violate these laws, Sanders is advocating for significant penalties, including a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
During the interview, Sanders stated, “When dealing with a technology that poses a threat to humanity’s future, it’s crucial to have laws that underscore the seriousness of these issues. If such laws are breached, it is reasonable to impose strict penalties.” Huey-Burns noted that the proposed penalties are comparable to those faced by individuals involved in the illegal development of nuclear weapons, to which Sanders agreed, stating, “The analogy is indeed fitting.” He elaborated, “If one seeks to create a nuclear weapon that could endanger humanity, they should face consequences. Similarly, advancing AI that poses a threat to humanity should incur penalties.” When asked if he equated AI with nuclear weapons, Sanders clarified, “No, I believe the potential dangers of AI are likely greater than those of nuclear arms.”
Sanders has been a prominent critic of unregulated AI advancement, a sentiment that is gaining traction among an increasing number of Republican lawmakers. The Pro-Human Assembly featured conservative figures, including Republican Representative Chip Roy and Senator Marsha Blackburn, alongside Democratic participants. House Speaker Mike Johnson mentioned that he anticipates a meeting with President Trump and leading AI executives at the White House in the coming week.
This surge in political discourse regarding AI follows the resignation of researcher Jacob Coxon from Anthropic, the company behind the AI application Claude. Coxon raised alarms about the potential future risks of AI, a viewpoint shared by several of his former colleagues. On Saturday, Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei called for a deceleration in the operations of leading AI firms, a call that was supported by OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman and Elon Musk.
Conversely, President Trump has dismissed apprehensions regarding rapid AI development, labeling them a “HOAX” and asserting that a competent and intelligent president is all that is needed to manage the situation.
Sanders emphasized the importance of his congressional colleagues recognizing the urgency of the matter. “I hope they realize the necessity of listening to experts—the very individuals who have developed this technology and are warning us about losing control. It’s deeply troubling for the nation’s leader to dismiss this as a hoax,” he remarked. “You must heed the voices of those who possess the expertise and act accordingly.”
He also expressed skepticism about tech CEOs self-regulating their industries. “Let’s be honest—they have been focused on maximizing profits for years,” Sanders stated. “These individuals are among the wealthiest globally, and in a democratic society, government intervention is essential to ensure proper oversight.”
Despite his concerns, Sanders acknowledged the potential benefits of AI, particularly in healthcare and other sectors. “AI does have its advantages,” he noted. “Our goal should be to ensure that the benefits of AI are accessible to everyone, rather than allowing its development to solely enrich the wealthiest individuals.”
