U.S. Senator Warns Congress to Act on Rapidly Growing AI Threats
U.S. Senator Warns Congress to Act on Rapidly Growing AI Threats
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Artificial intelligence and robotics are advancing so quickly in the U.S. that they pose far-reaching consequences for the economy, national security, democracy and human wellbeing, The Guardian. Senator Bernie Sanders, who leads the minority on the Senate committee overseeing health, education, labor and pensions, said he has launched an investigation into the risks posed by emerging AI technologies and will soon deliver recommendations to Congress.
Sanders recently held a public discussion with Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton, widely viewed as a pioneer of modern AI, to examine the technology’s potential impact. He noted that while AI development is dominated by a small group of wealthy tech leaders, there is little public oversight or democratic input. Sanders argued that critical questions must be addressed, including whether the technology will serve broad social interests or consolidate power in the hands of corporate elites.
He pointed to projections that AI and automation could replace nearly 100 million U.S. jobs in the coming decade, raising urgent concerns about unemployment, economic inequality and whether government is prepared for such disruption. Sanders also warned that AI could pose new threats to democratic systems, citing fears of mass surveillance, erosion of privacy and expanding influence of technology companies.
The senator highlighted additional concerns such as the environmental toll of large-scale data centers, the potential militarization of autonomous systems and the risk that future AI systems could surpass human intelligence. He emphasized that these developments could reshape human relationships, particularly among young people who increasingly turn to AI for companionship. Sanders said Congress must take immediate steps to understand and regulate AI to ensure it benefits the public rather than exacerbates existing social and economic divides.
