AI Oversight Sanders and Bannon unite over calls for stronger safeguards

US Senator Bernie Sanders and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon have called for stronger AI Oversight, bringing two political opponents together over concerns about the risks posed by rapidly advancing artificial intelligence.

The two spoke at the same Washington gathering on Tuesday, where they warned about potential effects including job losses, safety risks and the concentration of AI development among a small number of technology companies.

Sanders said AI could eliminate millions of jobs and make it harder for young people to enter the workforce. He also warned that increasingly powerful systems could eventually escape human control.

He criticised technology executives for concentrating control over AI and urged President Donald Trump to discuss a temporary pause in AI development with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Sanders also raised concerns about the potential use of AI in developing biological threats. His comments reflected broader warnings from some researchers and technology leaders about the possible misuse of advanced AI systems.

Bannon, who served as a White House strategist during Trump’s first term, also called for a slower pace of AI development so that policymakers can better understand the technology and its risks.

He argued that Congress could take too long to pass legislation and said executive action may be needed. Bannon also called for restrictions on China’s access to US-made computer chips.

The agreement between Sanders and Bannon contrasts with the approach taken by Trump and several senior Republicans.

Trump has argued that existing safeguards are sufficient and has rejected calls for a broad pause in AI development. House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Tuesday that a moratorium could weaken the US competitive position against China.

Johnson said AI companies could regulate themselves and argued that the United States should maintain its technological lead. He also called for independent audits and greater transparency from AI developers.

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The debate has also divided views within the technology industry. Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei has called for stronger AI safety standards, while other industry figures have warned that excessive regulation could weaken US companies’ ability to compete with China.

US Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Tuesday that the Justice Department would investigate AI-related violations of existing criminal laws. He added that the department did not see its role as regulating AI itself.

The Federal Trade Commission has also entered the debate. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said AI companies seeking antitrust exemptions while lobbying for new regulations should face scrutiny.

The issue has gained urgency as lawmakers return from their summer recess and consider possible federal rules for AI.

Recent warnings from AI researchers have added to the debate. Jacob Coxon, a former Anthropic researcher, said he resigned partly because of concerns about the potential dangers of advanced AI. Other researchers and lawmakers have also called for stronger safety measures.

The central disagreement in Washington is now over how much oversight is needed and whether regulation would improve safety without weakening US technological competitiveness.