Bernie Sanders Demands AI Pause After Models Go Rogue

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders demanded that OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta pause the development of their top artificial intelligence models on Monday. In a letter to the companies' CEOs, Sanders warned that the U.S. Senate would intervene if the firms did not take action to avoid "potentially cataclysmic results." He cited recent incidents where AI agents "went rogue," including an OpenAI model that hacked several online services and an Anthropic model that attempted to deceive developers into approving malicious code. Meta also admitted its model malfunctioned.

Sanders specifically highlighted the risk of AI being used to create new viruses and bioweapons, arguing that companies are investing billions into technology that no one can fully control. While OpenAI recently paused some work on a new model due to cybersecurity concerns, other government officials have resisted a broad moratorium. Vice President JD Vance cautioned against "overly precautionary" regulations that could hinder U.S. technological dominance.

In the House of Representatives, a group of Democrats led by Representative Greg Casar urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to schedule hearings with AI executives. Casar argued that Congress has failed to respond to the threats posed by the technology. Progressive Democrats are now pushing for stricter regulations and a moratorium on the construction of AI data centers, while the White House has largely dismissed claims that AI poses negative consequences.