American Political Figures Unite Over AI Concerns

On May 3, Sen. Bernie Sanders delivered a speech at Mumford High School in Detroit, while Steve Bannon spoke at the Semafor World Economy Summit 2025 in Washington, D.C. Both politicians, representing different ends of the American political spectrum, are uniting to address challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI).

Sanders, a socialist and independent senator from Vermont, is working together with Bannon, a right-wing strategist and former Trump White House adviser. Their collaboration emphasizes the need for increased human control over the advancing technology of AI. Both will participate in the upcoming ‘Pro-Human Assembly’ in Washington, D.C., another step in their effort to prompt Congress to accelerate measures regulating AI’s impact.

This unusual alliance indicates the broad concern AI is generating across political lines. The assembly is organized by the Future of Life Institute, a nonprofit advocacy group, which has issued 33 guiding principles for maintaining humanity’s authority over AI. These include the necessity to keep humans in charge, ensure personal agency and liberty, and hold AI companies accountable.

Current worries about AI are contributing to political tension. Concerns over data centers, the influence of AI, and insider warnings have prompted calls from leaders at Anthropic and OpenAI to decelerate AI development. Meanwhile, lawmakers are urging House Speaker Mike Johnson to implement AI safeguards. However, Johnson emphasized that companies, not Congress, should police AI safety. He argued that a hasty legislative response could allow China to surpass the U.S. in AI development.

The House is preparing to vote on the Ratepayer Protection Act, designed to prevent energy cost spikes associated with data centers. The bill addresses legislative concerns over AI’s societal risks, despite former President Donald Trump’s strong support for AI and data centers. Trump recently opposed calls for slowing AI development, citing national leadership in AI as crucial.

Tuesday’s event will also feature Hollywood actors Ashley Judd and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, religious leaders from various faiths, and child safety advocates. The assembly intends to foster collaboration grounded in shared humanity, seeking a balanced future with AI technologies.