Pro-Human Assembly Unites Opposite-Side Politicians to Demand AI Regulation

On September 15, a gathering called the Pro-Human Assembly took place in Washington, DC. The event brought together a diverse coalition of individuals alarmed by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. Among the speakers were Senator Bernie Sanders and political strategist Steve Bannon, who, despite their divergent political histories, both warned that unchecked AI development empowers “tech oligarchs” and called for urgent legislation to slow the technology.

The assembly reflects a growing surge of concern in U.S. policy circles about the societal and economic impacts of increasingly powerful AI systems. Over the past year, lawmakers, industry leaders, and advocacy groups have debated how to balance innovation with safeguards, but no comprehensive federal framework has yet emerged. The event’s timing coincides with heightened public scrutiny of AI applications ranging from facial-recognition surveillance to automated decision-making in finance and healthcare.

• Bernie Sanders – U.S. Senator from Vermont, long-time advocate for consumer protection and antitrust enforcement.

• Steve Bannon – Former White House chief strategist and media executive, known for championing nationalist and populist causes.

• Pro-Human Assembly – A loosely organized coalition of technologists, academics, and activists focused on ensuring AI development aligns with human values and democratic oversight.

The joint appearance of Sanders and Bannon underscores a rare bipartisan convergence on AI policy, suggesting that concerns about corporate concentration of AI power may transcend traditional partisan divides. Their calls for “urgent legislation” aim to introduce mechanisms such as mandatory impact assessments, transparency requirements, and limits on autonomous decision-making, potentially shaping the next wave of U.S. technology regulation.

While the assembly did not announce specific legislative proposals, participants indicated that the momentum generated could pressure Congress to act before the upcoming election cycle. Observers note that any future bills will need to navigate competing interests from major tech firms and divergent views within the political establishment.