On September 3, 2026, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) announced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act, forthcoming legislation that would permanently ban developing or deploying superintelligent AI and temporarily pause advanced AI development until a federal regulator sets safety rules. The proposal would create a cabinet-level AI agency, pursue international agreements against superintelligence worldwide, and set penalties of up to 20 years in prison for individuals plus forced corporate dissolution for companies that violate the ban—penalties the sponsors compare to those for unlawfully developing nuclear weapons.
