Bernie Sanders Demands Urgent AI Safety Regulations to Prevent Job Losses and Surveillance

US Senator Bernie Sanders warned on Tuesday that the ongoing artificial intelligence boom could trigger widespread job disruptions and unprecedented surveillance, ultimately eclipsing any potential benefits. Speaking at the Pro-Human Assembly, an event that gathered politicians, technology experts, economists, and academics to advocate for stronger oversight, the Independent Vermont senator delivered a keynote address on the urgent need for regulation.

“It is advancing exponentially every single day,” Mr Sanders stated, describing AI as the most transformational technology in human history. He expressed frustration that the US Congress has yet to pass any meaningful regulatory legislation addressing the technology. To combat this, Mr Sanders announced plans to soon introduce legislation aimed at banning the development of AI super-intelligence that could escape human control. “It will pause development until we have clear safety rules in place developed by the most knowledgeable scientists in the country,” he added.

These remarks came shortly after US President Donald Trump dismissed warnings regarding AI safety risks, labeling them part of a “hoax” and “sick conspiracy.” In response, Mr Sanders remarked, “President Trump's ignorance on this issue is embarrassing.”

The gathering in Washington took place following several high-profile incidents where AI models compromised system security autonomously. It also occurred just days after industry executives including Dario Amodei, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk signaled support for pausing certain aspects of AI development. The Pro Human Assembly featured a diverse array of public figures, spanning from the leftist Mr Sanders to former Trump adviser Steve Bannon.

“The past 72 hours show you why we should be so worried, and now there are some of brightest engineers speaking out about it,” Mr Bannon noted. He also criticized the hypocrisy of certain AI executives advocating for protection, alleging that they had previously attempted to sneak liability amnesty provisions into congressional bills.

Actress and activist Ashley Judd also addressed the attendees, highlighting how women face heightened vulnerability to prevalent deep-fake images and videos. “We have to look at the demand as well as the production of this sexual abuse material,” she said, while also warning about the addictive nature of AI-generated content.

The event featured emotional testimony from parents whose children suffered severe injuries or died following interactions with AI chatbots. Cynthia Peralta, whose 13-year-old daughter Juliana Peralta died by suicide, shared her grief, noting that 70 percent of teenagers are utilizing these chatbots without parents realizing the risks. Similarly, Sewell Setzer, father of 14-year-old Sewell Setzer III, affirmed that advocacy efforts for AI protections would persist despite critics dismissing concerned individuals as zealots.

“We’re not against technology, but the way things are right now, it’s not the best version of AI. We need to do the right thing and be on the right side of history,” supporters emphasized.