US Lawmakers Propose AI Ban and Safety Pause
A new bill seeks to halt advanced AI development until federal safety standards are met.
Key points
- The bill bans artificial superintelligence and pauses advanced AI development.
- Violators face twenty years in prison and ten years out of the industry.
- A new cabinet-level department would oversee and regulate AI models.
US Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Greg Casar introduced a bill on Wednesday. The legislation targets the artificial intelligence industry. It proposes sweeping new restrictions and bans.
The bill aims to stop the creation of artificial superintelligence. It also calls for a temporary pause on advanced systems. This pause would last until federal safety standards are established.
Strict Penalties and New Oversight
Violators of the ban could face twenty years in prison. This mirrors penalties for developing nuclear weapons. Individuals would also be barred from the industry for ten years.
Companies face severe consequences under the proposal. The federal government could seize their assets and intellectual property. This is described in the bill as a corporate death penalty.
Creating a Federal AI Agency
The legislation establishes a cabinet-level Department of Artificial Intelligence. This new body would oversee the industry. It would regulate what are called frontier models.
These are the most advanced AI models in development. The agency would ensure they are not dangerous. It could remove dangerous models from circulation and supervise their destruction.
Mixed Reactions to the Proposal
Alex Turner, a former researcher at Google DeepMind, weighed in on the bill. He told Al Jazeera that the measure is unlikely to pass. However, he called it courageous and safer than the status quo.
Turner noted that the bill's definitions might be too broad. He warned it could cover current systems. He suggested the definition regarding government disempowerment is better.
President Donald Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. He stated the US would rename artificial intelligence to super intelligence. He rejected attempts to construct a global control scheme.
