Senator Bernie Sanders Critiques AI Technology and Calls for Action
On Sunday, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders intensified his scrutiny of artificial intelligence (AI), drawing a direct link between the financial ambitions of “the wealthiest individuals” and the economic precariousness faced by millions of Americans. He has proposed a possible moratorium on the establishment of new data centers.
Appearing on CNN’s *State of the Union*, the senator—a member of the Democratic caucus from Vermont—expressed profound trepidation regarding AI’s future implications.
He characterized it as “the most consequential technology in the history of humanity,” poised to “transform” both the United States and the globe in ways that have yet to be fully examined.
Sanders articulated his concerns, stating, “If there are no jobs and humans won’t be needed for most things, how do people get an income to feed their families, access healthcare, or pay their rent?” He lamented that there has been “not one serious word of discussion in Congress about that reality.”
With timely remarks just days before his scheduled support for New York’s mayor-elect, the democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, Sanders accused tech magnates like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Peter Thiel of prioritizing their wealth over societal welfare.
“You think they’re staying up nights worrying about working people and how this technology will impact those people?” he questioned. “They are not. Their pursuits are solely focused on becoming richer and more powerful.”
Furthermore, Sanders referenced studies indicating a growing reliance on AI chatbots for emotional sustenance. He posited, “If this trend continues, what does it mean over the years when individuals receive their support not from fellow humans but from machines?” He pondered the broader implications for humankind.
Responses to these issues were echoed on *State of the Union* by Senator Katie Britt from Alabama, a Republican co-sponsor of legislation aimed at safeguarding minors from AI chatbots.
The proposed Guardianship Over Artificial Intelligence Relationships (Guard) Act seeks to prohibit the provision of AI companions to minors.
It mandates transparent disclosures regarding their non-human status and professional credentials. The legislation also establishes criminal liability for companies that allow AI companions to engage minors in sexually explicit content or to promote self-harm or violence.
Britt shared distressing accounts from parents, revealing that chatbots had ultimately isolated their children, raising crises of suicidal ideation.
“If these AI companies can develop the most advanced machines, they could certainly establish appropriate guardrails to prevent minors from using these technologies while consistently stating, ‘I am a machine, not a physician or psychiatrist,’” she asserted.
She further emphasized that AI companies should bear criminal liability if they facilitate inappropriate interactions between chatbots and young people, particularly those involving sexually inappropriate relationships or self-harming behavior.
The concerns articulated by Sanders and Britt reflect an unusual convergence of opinions from both political spectrums regarding the governance of AI.
Sanders emphasized the need for Congress “to diligently study the impact that AI is having on the mental health of our nation.”
“I worry greatly about children spending entire days relying on machines for emotional support,” he underscored. Sanders insisted that lawmakers should “seriously consider” a moratorium on new data centers for AI.
Frankly, I believe we must decelerate this process,” he stated. “It’s insufficient for the oligarchs to dictate; it’s coming; you must adapt.
What’s the plan for comprehensive healthcare for all? What measures will be taken when unemployment becomes prevalent? Will housing be provided for free? We need to take a step back and reassess.
Source link: Theguardian.com.
