Bernie Sanders Urges Urgent AI Regulation and Public Ownership of Wealth
Senator Bernie Sanders proposes a moratorium on data centers and a sovereign wealth fund to tax AI companies, arguing that the public should benefit from AI-driven wealth.
In an interview with WIRED, US Senator Bernie Sanders outlined his vision for regulating the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, which he says is being driven by the world's wealthiest individuals who care little about ordinary people.
Sanders, along with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, introduced legislation in March to halt data center construction until safeguards are implemented. In June, he announced the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, which would tax the largest AI companies and distribute payments directly to American citizens.
Calling AI "the most consequential, transformational technology in the history of humanity," Sanders criticized the lack of urgency in Congress, where no significant AI legislation has been passed. He attributes this to lawmakers' fear of industry backlash, as AI companies can spend hundreds of millions of dollars on election campaigns.
Under Sanders' proposal, half of AI company boards would represent the public interest, and half of the revenue and wealth growth from AI would go to the public, since AI is built on human knowledge and labor. He also warns of widespread job losses, such as truck drivers being displaced by autonomous vehicles, and the threat of deepfakes.
Sanders advocates for campaign finance reform, including overturning Citizens United and eliminating super PACs, to reduce the influence of wealthy donors. He believes public anger across party lines may eventually force change, citing grassroots opposition to data centers and election results favoring progressive candidates.
