Full Breakdown
Unlikely Allies Call for AI Guardrails at Washington’s Pro-Human Assembly
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 15, 2026, independent Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and right-wing strategist Steve Bannon addressed the *Pro-Human Assembly* in Washington, D.C., a conference organized by the Future of Life Institute. Both warned that unchecked artificial intelligence (AI) threatens jobs, safety and humanity, but each offered a different path forward.
Background & Context
Recent resignations—most notably Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon—and public statements from AI CEOs (Anthropic, OpenAI, Elon Musk) have amplified concerns about “frontier” AI models. Polls show majorities of Americans fear AI-driven data centers will raise electricity costs and that AI could eliminate jobs. The event took place just before President Donald Trump’s scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping later in September.
Data & Statistics
- A Reuters/Ipsos poll (June) found 77 % of Americans worry AI-driven data centers will increase electricity bills.
- CBS polling (May) reported 65 % think AI will decrease jobs and 67 % doubt the federal government will ensure safe AI use.
Official Statements & Responses
- Greg Casar (D-TX) to permanently ban artificial super-intelligence. He urged Trump to negotiate a treaty with Xi to halt super-intelligence development, likening it to the 1980s nuclear-arms treaty.
Criticism & Opposition
- Congressman Greg Casar (D-TX) accused AI billionaires of spending millions through the *Leading the Future* PAC to silence politicians, stating, “Even as the threat becomes clearer, there are many powerful people fighting to prevent action.”
- Republican Rep.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When you are racing towards a cliff,” — Mr. Sanders, the progressive senator — Bernie Sanders, the progressive senator
- “The American people are not going to be supplicants to these tech oligarchs,” — Steve Bannon, rightwing strategist — Steve Bannon, right-wing strategist
- “If AI surpasses human intelligence, as many scientists believe could happen, this technology will escape human control with potentially catastrophic consequence,” — Bernie Sanders, the progressive senator — Bernie Sanders, the progressive senator
- “We should quarantine now every aspect of the ecosystem of artificial intelligence away from the Chinese Communist Party,” — Steve Bannon, rightwing strategist — Steve Bannon, right-wing strategist
- “When the future of humanity is at stake we need a PAUSE on advanced AI development and a ban on artificial superintelligence – an AI mind smarter than any human and capable of operating independently beyond our control,” — Bernie Sanders, the progressive senator — Bernie Sanders, the progressive senator
What's Next
President Trump is slated to host President Xi for a summit next week, where Sanders hopes a “comprehensive treaty” on AI will be negotiated. Meanwhile, Senate and House committees are reviewing the *Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act* and related proposals, with a vote on the *Ratepayer Protection Act*—targeting data-center costs—expected in the coming weeks.