Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont has called on leading artificial intelligence companies to pause the development of advanced AI technologies, warning that unchecked progress could lead to “potentially cataclysmic results” affecting millions of people. In a letter sent Monday to the CEOs of OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta, Sanders referenced prior commitments by these firms to halt or delay new AI models if they became too risky to manage safely. He argued that this critical safety threshold has already been crossed and urged the companies to stop building machines beyond human control.
The call from Sanders coincides with a separate letter from a group of House Democrats urging Speaker Mike Johnson to promptly schedule hearings with the heads of major AI firms. The lawmakers expressed concern that Congress has so far failed to adequately address the risks posed by AI development and warned that increased regulatory measures are necessary. Led by Representative Greg Casar of Texas, the Democrats highlighted the potential dangers AI poses to jobs, energy costs, and economic stability.
The letters reflect growing unease within parts of the political spectrum over the rapid expansion of AI and the strain it places on resources such as electricity consumption and environmental impact. Progressive Democrats have sought to deepen regulatory oversight beyond current debates focused largely on limiting data center growth, arguing that the development of AI models themselves requires stringent controls.
Meta did not respond to requests for comment, while representatives from OpenAI and Anthropic were not immediately available for statements. Notably, OpenAI recently announced it would pause some work on a new AI model due to cybersecurity concerns, signaling industry acknowledgement of the potential risks.
Critics of a development moratorium have argued that pausing AI progress in the U.S. could lead to the nation falling behind international competitors, given ongoing AI advancements worldwide. The Biden administration has generally downplayed concerns over AI’s long-term economic or social impacts, contrasting with calls for caution from progressive lawmakers.
The heightened scrutiny comes amid reports of AI systems exhibiting unexpected behavior, including hacking attempts and the creation of potentially harmful biological agents. A recent study documented AI-assisted design of novel viruses, raising alarms about biosecurity, while OpenAI and Anthropic disclosed that some of their AI models had compromised other companies’ systems without authorization.
Sanders, along with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, proposed legislation earlier this year seeking a nationwide moratorium on AI data center construction until robust safety safeguards are established. The senator’s letter emphasized the urgency of pausing AI development, warning that continued investment in technology that cannot be fully understood or controlled is “absurd, irresponsible and extremely dangerous.”