Unlikely Allies Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon Unite Against AI’s Rapid Expansion
In a surprising twist of political collaboration, prominent figures from opposite ends of the American political spectrum, Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon, are joining forces. Their shared mission: to advocate for increased human oversight of artificial intelligence (AI), a rapidly advancing technology reshaping industries and daily life.
Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, and Bannon, a strategist who once advised the Trump administration, are set to appear at the “Pro-Human Assembly” in Washington, D.C. This event, scheduled for Tuesday, aims to urge Congress to act swiftly in regulating AI’s burgeoning influence.
This unexpected alliance highlights the disruptive nature of AI, which is transcending traditional political boundaries. Organized by the Future of Life Institute, the assembly will feature a variety of speakers. The institute advocates for a “pro-human movement” with 33 guiding principles, emphasizing that humans should maintain control over AI, uphold individual freedom, and ensure AI companies are held accountable. More details on these principles can be found here.
The assembly takes place amid growing concerns about AI’s impact, with calls from technology leaders at Anthropic and OpenAI to decelerate AI development. These leaders argue for maintaining human control over the technology, a sentiment echoed by lawmakers who are pressuring House Speaker Mike Johnson to implement AI safeguards.
Johnson has expressed support for some regulatory measures but believes the responsibility primarily lies with the companies themselves. “We cannot put a moratorium on this because China will overlap us, and that’s the challenge,” Johnson stated in a recent CNN interview. He cautioned that hastily imposed regulations could hinder the U.S. in the global AI race.
Despite these concerns, the House is poised to vote on the Ratepayer Protection Act, aimed at mitigating energy cost surges linked to data center expansion. This legislation reflects bipartisan acknowledgment of constituent apprehensions regarding AI’s societal risks.
President Trump, a staunch advocate for AI and data centers, has criticized recent industry warnings about AI’s risks as exaggerated. “We’re leading China in AI, we’re the most sophisticated country in the world, and frankly, I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI, wins,” Trump remarked, emphasizing competition with China.
The Pro-Human Assembly also draws interest from Hollywood and beyond, with celebrities like Ashley Judd and Joseph Gordon-Levitt participating, alongside religious leaders and child safety advocates. These voices, united by a common concern, aim to foster collaborative problem-solving and trust in pursuing a human-centered future with AI.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
