US lawmakers propose sweeping AI restrictions, including a ban on superintelligence

A group of US lawmakers has introduced legislation proposing sweeping restrictions on artificial intelligence, including a ban on developing superintelligent AI systems, according to Al Jazeera.

The proposed legislation seeks to pause the advancement of the most powerful AI systems until federal safety standards have been established, reflecting growing concern in Washington over the pace of AI development relative to regulatory oversight.

The bill's focus on superintelligence, a term generally used to describe AI systems that would exceed human capabilities across a broad range of tasks, signals lawmakers' particular concern with the most advanced and potentially consequential category of AI development.

The proposal adds to a growing body of legislative activity around AI regulation in the United States, as Congress grapples with how to balance continued innovation in the sector against calls for stronger safeguards.

It remains to be seen whether the legislation will gain sufficient support to advance, given the range of competing views in Congress on how, and how quickly, to regulate the fast-moving AI industry.