<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Greg Casar (D-TX) introduced legislation on September 23, 2026, to establish a Cabinet-level executive agency named the Department of Artificial Intelligence.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The bill aims to address the regulation of frontier artificial intelligence (AI) development amid growing concerns about the technology's rapid advancement. Sanders and Casar initially announced the proposal on September 3, 2026.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The proposed federal department would focus on monitoring frontier AI models, overseeing the removal of dangerous capabilities, and enforcing a ban on artificial superintelligence.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The legislation defines artificial superintelligence as an AI system that exceeds human cognitive performance across most domains or has the capability to undermine humanity, including the federal government.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Concerns regarding the implications of superintelligence have been echoed by AI industry leaders, prompting Congress to consider regulatory measures. The legislation outlines that the Department of AI would monitor advanced AI systems through various stages of development.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The department would be led by a secretary appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. An advisory board would also be established to provide scientific and technical guidance on AI regulation.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Until the Department of AI is established, the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act would temporarily pause advanced AI development. The bill includes criminal penalties for violations of its regulations, with potential prison sentences of up to 20 years. Whistleblower protections are also included.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The secretary would have the authority to pursue international agreements to prevent the global development of artificial superintelligence.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Employees at major AI companies, including OpenAI and Google DeepMind, have expressed support for the bill, according to the Associated Press.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Senator Sanders stated, "In my view, we cannot simply sit by idly and wait for advanced AI to cause the next 9/11 or Chernobyl or a global pandemic or a financial crisis before we take action to protect the American people and, of course, the people of the world."</p>