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Bernie Sanders is sounding the alarm over the rapidly accelerating race to develop increasingly powerful artificial intelligence — and he believes the United States and China may need to work together before the competition goes too far.
In a new warning, Sanders argued that the race toward advanced A.I. could become dangerously similar to the nuclear arms race of the past.
His message is directed not only at Washington, but also at President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Sanders Wants Trump and Xi to Talk
Sanders says the upcoming meeting between Trump and Xi could provide an opportunity for the two world powers to discuss limits on the development of the most advanced forms of artificial intelligence.
His concern is straightforward: if one country believes it must move faster simply because it fears the other country is getting ahead, both sides could end up pushing the technology further than either originally intended.
And once increasingly powerful A.I. systems are developed, the consequences could be difficult to predict.
Sanders has therefore called for international discussions about a possible ban or pause involving superintelligent A.I. development.
The Problem With an A.I. Arms Race
The senator’s argument is based on a familiar pattern.
During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union competed to build increasingly powerful nuclear weapons. Neither side could simply assume the other would slow down first.
Sanders believes advanced A.I. could create a similar dynamic.
If Washington slows down while Beijing continues developing more powerful systems, American officials could fear losing a major technological advantage.
But if both sides keep accelerating because they fear falling behind, the competition itself could become the problem.
Who Could Be Left Out?
Sanders also acknowledges another major obstacle.
Even if the United States and China reached an agreement, other countries and companies could continue developing advanced A.I. systems.
That means any serious attempt to control the most powerful forms of artificial intelligence would likely require international cooperation rather than a deal between only two governments.
And that may be the hardest part.
A Warning That Is Getting Harder to Ignore
Concerns about A.I. are no longer limited to science-fiction scenarios.
Experts have increasingly warned about potential risks involving cybersecurity, misinformation, autonomous systems, critical infrastructure and the possibility that future A.I. could become difficult for humans to control.
Sanders’ message is ultimately about preventing competition from becoming an excuse to ignore those risks.
The United States and China may be strategic rivals, but Sanders believes that does not mean they cannot negotiate rules designed to prevent the most dangerous outcomes.
The question now is whether world leaders will act while they still have the opportunity — or wait until the technology becomes too powerful to control.
The A.I. race is moving faster than ever. And Bernie Sanders wants Trump and Xi Jinping to decide where the line should be drawn before someone crosses it.