Senator Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon are collaborating to advocate for stricter regulations on artificial intelligence (AI). They are scheduled to speak at a rally in Washington, DC, organized by the Future of Life Institute, which aims to promote human control over AI and accountability for the companies developing it. Other speakers at the event include Senator Richard Blumenthal, Representative Chip Roy, Representative Greg Casar, and public figures such as Ashley Judd and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
This rally follows a series of protests across the United States where citizens have expressed concerns about AI data centers, citing issues such as noise and light pollution. A recent New York Times/Siena University poll indicated that over 60% of voters oppose the construction of new data centers, driven by fears that AI could replace jobs.
Concerns about AI intensified after Jacob Coxon, a former researcher at Anthropic and OpenAI, resigned and warned that AI could pose existential risks. In response, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for a slowdown in AI model development, while figures like Sam Altman from OpenAI and Elon Musk have also raised alarms about the potential dangers of unregulated AI.
Bannon has shifted from previous positions held by former President Trump, advocating for increased government regulation of the AI industry. During a recent podcast, he stated that Congress should allow states to impose their own restrictions on AI technology, emphasizing that the public should not be subservient to technology companies.
In contrast, Trump has dismissed concerns about AI, labeling them a conspiracy and asserting that existing regulatory powers are sufficient. He described warnings about AI's risks as a hoax and criticized Amodei for his stance on the matter.
Last month, Sanders called for a halt to AI development, urging leaders of major tech companies to pause work on models that could threaten government stability. His office has previously estimated that AI and automation could eliminate nearly 100 million jobs in the US over the next decade.