Sen. Bernie Sanders criticized the lack of action from both major political parties in the U.S. regarding the regulation of artificial intelligence, a technology that AI experts and tech leaders warn could pose severe risks to humanity. Speaking at the Pro-Human Assembly in Washington D.C., Sanders pointed out the bipartisan negligence in Congress and called President Donald Trump’s dismissal of AI dangers "truly embarrassing."

President Trump has consistently minimized the potential catastrophic impacts of AI, focusing instead on America's competitive position relative to China. His recent posts on Truth Social labeled the severe warnings about AI as a "HOAX," directly opposing the growing concerns within the tech community. Over the years, industry professionals have urged for a slowdown in AI development to allow adequate time for establishing safety measures. This plea gained intensity following a statement by an Anthropic researcher, who resigned claiming that AI developers were "gambling with our lives."

The urgency for legislative action on AI is mounting, with bipartisan support coalescing around the need for oversight. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson has shown reluctance to prioritize AI legislation before the November midterm elections, focusing instead on arranging discussions between the White House and AI executives.

Amid these political maneuvers, Sanders has proposed a bold step: a comprehensive treaty with China to cease the advancement of AI technologies and to prohibit the development of superintelligence, AI that surpasses human capabilities in managing its risks. He announced plans to introduce a bill with Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) that aims to enforce such measures domestically.

The issue of AI regulation is expected to be a key topic during the upcoming meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 24. Ahead of this meeting, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, responsible for managing U.S.-China AI interactions, is scheduled to meet with his Chinese counterpart to discuss the administration's stance on AI and its implications for bilateral relations.

As the date approaches, the world watches closely, hoping for a strategy that balances technological progress with global safety.