US bill against superintelligence newly also envisages a freeze on AI development and a new federal agency
Sanders and Casar clarified the bill against superintelligence: besides the ban and a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, it also envisages an immediate freeze on the development of advanced AI until a new federal agency is created, and the possible forced dissolution of violating companies.
Senator Bernie Sanders and Congressman Greg Casar clarified the form of the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act on 23 September 2026. According to sources, the law envisages an immediate freeze on the development of advanced AI systems until a new cabinet-level federal agency is created to set safety rules. Companies violating the law could face forced dissolution, in addition to prison sentences for individuals. The proposal further calls for international agreements that would prevent the development of superintelligence worldwide.
The bill itself was introduced on 23 September 2026 and is meant to permanently ban the development and use of artificial superintelligence, which it describes as technology capable of \"destroying or disempowering humanity,\" including overthrowing the government. Individuals violating the ban would face up to 20 years in prison - a penalty lawmakers compare to the penalty for illegally developing nuclear weapons.
According to Sanders, current AI models can already attack computer systems, create new types of viruses, and independently develop other AI, while companies are investing hundreds of billions of dollars into the technology despite known risks. Sanders calls AI an existential threat to humanity and argues that a handful of tech billionaires should not be able to write their own rules. Casar warns that superintelligence could kill countless people, while President Donald Trump, according to him, wants to accelerate its development instead. Sources state that experts in both the US and China have recently been considering similar regulatory steps.
Why it matters
So far this is only a legislative proposal by two lawmakers, not an enacted law, but it indicates a direction for possible future regulation of advanced AI in the US. If passed, it would mean a fundamental risk for companies developing frontier AI models - ranging from a temporary halt to development to forced dissolution of the company and criminal liability for executives. Monitoring such proposals helps assess regulatory risks when planning long-term AI projects in the US.
What was added since the original report
Verified updates
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Immediate freeze on the development of advanced AI systems until a federal agency is created; Creation of a new cabinet-level federal AI agency; Specific date of the proposal: 23 September 2026; Dissolution of the company as an additional penalty for violating the law; Call for international agreements preventing the development of superintelligence
- Immediate freeze on the development of advanced AI systems until a federal agency is created
- Creation of a new cabinet-level federal AI agency
- Specific date of the proposal: 23 September 2026
- Dissolution of the company as an additional penalty for violating the law
- Call for international agreements preventing the development of superintelligence
Relevant practical impact
What this means
For a business
Companies developing advanced AI systems in the US would, if the law were passed, face the risk of an immediate freeze on development, forced dissolution of the company, and criminal liability for executives of up to 20 years in prison; so far this is only a proposal, not an enacted law.
Risks and complianceCheck the original
Event sources
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