Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is calling for a permanent ban on artificial superintelligence after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman made alarming comments about the future of AI-driven cybersecurity threats.
Altman warned on Politico’s “Decoded” podcast last week that society faces a “coming tidal wave of cybersecurity problems” stemming from open-source AI models entering widespread use.
Sanders responded forcefully on the social platform X, writing, “No, Mr. Altman. We won’t accept a severe AI cyberattack in exchange for ‘liberty.'”
The Vermont senator followed up by directly challenging the OpenAI chief, asking publicly, “Mr. Altman: What do you mean by that?”
Sanders argued that Americans “are not willing to accept disaster ‘in exchange for the liberty’ of making Big Tech Oligarchs even richer and more powerful.”
He also insisted that tech developers working on AI “are not above the law,” signaling his intent to push for stronger legislative accountability across the sector.
“If you and other Big Tech Oligarchs make products that commit crimes or disasters, we will hold you accountable for breaking the law — no matter how much wealth and power you have,” Sanders wrote in the post.
He concluded his message with a direct call to action, writing, “We must PAUSE advanced AI and permanently BAN artificial superintelligence before it is too late.”
Sanders specifically cited risks to banking systems, hospitals, and nuclear plants, arguing that ordinary Americans should not be forced to shoulder those dangers to make tech executives wealthier and more powerful.
Sanders and Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) introduced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act last month, legislation that would permanently prohibit artificial superintelligence while temporarily pausing advanced AI development until federal regulators put safety standards in place.
The legislation represents one of the most aggressive congressional responses yet to concerns about unchecked AI development and the growing influence of major technology companies over critical infrastructure.
Altman’s comments on the podcast appear to have accelerated the political debate around AI regulation, giving Sanders a high-profile opening to push his long-standing concerns about concentrated tech industry power into the mainstream conversation.
