US and UK Simultaneously Push for Superintelligence Ban; Violations in the U.S. Carry Maximum 20-Year Sentence

Beating AI Express: US and UK lawmakers are simultaneously advancing legislation to ban "superintelligent AI". U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Greg Casar have unveiled the "Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act", which would permanently prohibit the development and deployment of superintelligent AI, and suspend work on more advanced AI until a new federal regulatory agency establishes safety rules. Violating individuals face up to 20 years in prison, while companies could even be forced to dissolve. The bill has not yet been formally submitted to Congress and is expected to be introduced in the coming weeks. UK Labour Party MP Alex Sobel has tabled a Superintelligence Bill in the House of Commons. It would not only ban the development and deployment of superintelligent AI capable of undermining the control of human institutions like governments, but also require the government to monitor and restrict systems that could lead to superintelligent AI. Both the U.S. and U.K. proposals call on their governments to push for international agreements to prevent R&D from shifting to other countries to continue. However, neither ban is currently likely to become law. The U.S. proposal runs counter to the current administration’s AI policy direction; the UK government also does not support a full ban, and Sobel’s bill is more of a parliamentary public initiative at present, with very low chances of actual passage.