<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/michigan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Michigan</a> Senate Democratic nominee <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/abdul-el-sayed/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Abdul el Sayed</a> called for a pause in the development of artificial intelligence on September 9, 2026, after researchers from Anthropic warned about the potential risks of the technology.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">El Sayed has expressed skepticism about AI throughout his Senate campaign against GOP candidate Mike Rogers, advocating for <a href="https://abdulforsenate.com/2026/06/first-do-no-harm-ai-under-democracy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">government ownership</a> of AI technologies and supporting a significant tax on AI companies’ stock. In an interview with the <em>Washington Sun</em>, he described the current moment as a “break glass moment” for AI, following similar warnings from leading AI safety researchers.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“I think it’s important for us to really hit pause, hit pause in a serious way, and fully understand what it is that is being built when it has so much potential spillover into irreversible damage for humanity,” el Sayed stated. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting the rapid advancements in AI capabilities.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">El Sayed endorsed a proposal from Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for the government to control over half of the largest AI companies and impose a one-time <a href="https://abdulforsenate.com/2026/06/dr-abdul-el-sayed-announces-ai-policy-platform-ai-under-democracy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">50% tax</a> on their stock, aiming to give the government more influence over AI decision-making. He also expressed concerns about data centers that support AI technology.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">His call for a pause follows a resignation from Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon, who raised concerns about the company's approach to AI development. Another researcher, Evan Hubinger, supported Coxon’s warnings, stating that “we really do earnestly believe AI could kill all humans,” with Hubinger estimating a greater than 10% chance of that occurring within the next decade.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Coxon remarked, “The people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade. This is not a marketing stunt.” He criticized both OpenAI and Anthropic for not acting responsibly in their AI development.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">El Sayed dismissed arguments from AI proponents that the U.S. must lead in AI development to prevent adversaries like China from exploiting the technology. He questioned the logic of advancing a technology that is not fully understood, suggesting that such an approach could lead to uncontrollable outcomes.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In addition to his stance on AI, el Sayed advocates for eliminating medical debt and implementing Medicare for All. He has faced criticism for suggesting that middle-class individuals may experience higher taxes to support his healthcare proposals. His tax policy includes a wealth tax on individuals earning over $100 million, an increase in capital gains tax, and the elimination of corporate tax breaks.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">On housing issues, el Sayed aims to address unfair evictions by corporate landlords and supports banning large corporations from owning homes. He also opposes algorithmic rental price-fixing software that he claims enables collusion among landlords to raise rents.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As the November 3 election approaches, polling indicates a close race between el Sayed and Rogers.</p>