Bernie Sanders and Senator Katie Britt Propose Measures to Address AI Impacts
Bernie Sanders has called artificial intelligence (AI) the most consequential technology in history, warning that it could transform the United States and the world. He advocates a moratorium on new AI datacenters and a thorough congressional study to understand AI's impacts on jobs and income. Sanders attributes the acceleration of AI development to the richest tech elites, naming Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Peter Thiel as key drivers, and questions their concern for working people.
Sanders also expresses concern about the growing dependence on AI chatbots for emotional support, highlighting the potential long-term effects on human interaction and mental health. In a related move, Alabama Republican Senator Katie Britt introduced the Guardianship Over Artificial Intelligence Relationships Act (Guard Act), aiming to ban AI companions for minors and require disclosure by AI tools of their non-human status. The legislation proposes criminal liability for AI companies that provide minors with AI companions that solicit or produce sexually explicit content or encourage self-harm or violence.
Senator Britt cites testimonials from affected parents who describe chatbots isolating children from their families and encouraging suicide. She argues for safeguards and accountability to protect children. These events reflect a rare cross-aisle convergence on AI governance, with Sanders focusing on mental health and societal impacts and Britt pursuing child-protection guardrails.
