Senator Bernie Sanders and former Trump strategist Steve Bannon appeared together at the Future of Life Institute’s Pro-Human Assembly in Washington, D.C., on September 15, 2026. Both figures advocated for binding government regulations on the development of artificial intelligence.
Sanders proposed a legislative agenda that includes a pause on advanced AI development and a permanent ban on superintelligence systems. He argued against relying on voluntary commitments from technology companies, citing the potential for the loss of tens of millions of jobs.
Bannon characterized AI as a critical issue, criticizing the influence of tech leaders over policy. Sanders also suggested that the United States and China should hold direct discussions regarding the governance of powerful AI systems.
The event occurred following the resignation of Jacob Coxon from the AI company Anthropic, who cited concerns regarding human extinction. Additionally, a Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that 77% of respondents are concerned about rising electricity costs linked to AI data centers.
President Trump has expressed a preference for existing regulations, suggesting that current oversight is sufficient. Consequently, the legislative proposals introduced by Sanders face significant challenges in the current political climate.
