Independent Senator Bernie Sanders and former Trump White House adviser Steve Bannon, typically at opposite ends of the political spectrum, are collaborating to push for stricter controls on artificial intelligence. Both are scheduled to speak at the "Pro-Human Assembly" in Washington D.C., advocating for a "human-centric" approach to AI development. This bipartisan effort highlights growing concerns across political lines regarding the rapid advancement and potential risks of AI technology.
The assembly is organized by the Future of Life Institute, which has outlined 33 principles for a pro-human AI movement, emphasizing that humans must remain in control, retain agency, and AI companies should be held accountable. Their call for action comes as AI researchers, such as Jacob Coxon who recently resigned from Anthropic, warn about AI's potential to threaten humanity. Leaders from major AI companies like Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have also called for a slowdown in frontier AI development.
While there is bipartisan momentum in Congress for AI safeguards, exemplified by the FRONTIER Act introduced by Democratic Rep. Lori Trahan and Republican Rep. Jay Obernolte, there are differing views within parties. President Trump has dismissed fears about AI development as a "HOAX," arguing that only a strong president is needed, a stance that has been challenged by some Republicans like Rep. Chip Roy. Conversely, Vice President JD Vance acknowledges the risks while stressing the need for smart regulation. Public sentiment, as indicated by CBS News polling, shows 65% of Americans believe AI will decrease jobs, and 67% doubt the government's ability to ensure appropriate AI use.
The debate also touches on competitive interests, with Democratic Rep. Greg Casar drawing parallels to the Cold War, urging an end to an AI arms race. House Speaker Mike Johnson supports some guardrails but believes companies should be responsible for policing safety, expressing concern that aggressive regulation could cause the U.S. to lose the AI race to China. The House is expected to vote on the Ratepayer Protection Act, a bill addressing the energy cost implications of data center proliferation.
