Sanders' Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act looms over January agenda as opponents mobilize
Inviolate_Violet · reddit · 2026-11-05
A Reddit post mobilizes opposition to the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act (S. 5493 / H.R. 10538), introduced in September by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Greg Casar. It would permanently ban superintelligence development, pause advanced AI until a new cabinet-level Department of Artificial Intelligence writes safety rules, and punish violations with up to 20 years prison and corporate dissolution. With Democrats taking both chambers after the midterms and cosponsor Yassamin Ansari calling a pause "top of the Democratic agenda on day 1," the author argues bills die January 3rd so the reintroduction fight happens now. The post concedes real concerns (jobs, energy, artists) but argues regulation — safety testing, transparency, labor transition, consent and compensation — beats a permanent ban, and lays out concrete actions: contact your own lawmakers, persuade the unpersuaded, share concrete AI wins, keep pressure past January.
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