Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez Propose AI Data Center Moratorium Over 10%-20% Extinction Risk Claims
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 26
Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez Propose AI Data Center Moratorium Over 10%-20% Extinction Risk Claims
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 26
March 25 legislation from Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez would halt new AI data center construction until limits are set to ensure the technology does not threaten “the future of humanity.”
The push reflects a broader progressive turn toward AI-safety fears: Sanders recently cited Geoffrey Hinton’s warning of a 10% to 20% chance that superhuman AI could lead to human extermination.
The proposal targets one of AI’s biggest practical burdens as data centers demand vast energy and capital, while progressives also warn about job losses, military use and government surveillance.
The measure comes as Democrats still lack a settled AI agenda; other recent bills on algorithmic bias and human-rights safeguards were narrower and appear to have stalled in committee.
While the US debates an AI pause, who stands to win the global technology race?