Bernie Sanders Proposes AI Regulation with Global Cooperation | 2026 Capitol Hill Panel
Senator Bernie Sanders advocates for international cooperation to regulate artificial intelligence, partnering with Chinese AI experts in a Capitol Hill panel that has sparked bipartisan controversy. Critics warn of national security risks, while supporters praise the push for ethical guardrails.
Bernie Sanders Proposes AI Regulation with Global Cooperation | 2026 Capitol Hill Panel
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- 1Senator Bernie Sanders advocates for international cooperation to regulate artificial intelligence, partnering with Chinese AI experts in a Capitol Hill panel that has sparked bipartisan controversy. Critics warn of national security risks, while supporters praise the push for ethical guardrails.
- 2Bernie Sanders Proposes AI Regulation with Global Cooperation | 2026 Capitol Hill Panel Senator Bernie Sanders is spearheading a major push for international AI regulation, urging global cooperation to address the existential risks posed by rapidly advancing artificial intelligence.
- 3On April 28, 2026, Sanders hosted a high-profile Capitol Hill panel titled "AI Existential Risk and International Cooperation," featuring Chinese AI experts Zeng Yi and Xue Lan from the Beijing Institute of AI Safety and Governance and Tsinghua University—both institutions linked to China’s Ministry of Science and Technology.
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Bernie Sanders Proposes AI Regulation with Global Cooperation | 2026 Capitol Hill Panel
Senator Bernie Sanders is spearheading a major push for international AI regulation, urging global cooperation to address the existential risks posed by rapidly advancing artificial intelligence. On April 28, 2026, Sanders hosted a high-profile Capitol Hill panel titled "AI Existential Risk and International Cooperation," featuring Chinese AI experts Zeng Yi and Xue Lan from the Beijing Institute of AI Safety and Governance and Tsinghua University—both institutions linked to China’s Ministry of Science and Technology.
The Role of Chinese AI Experts in U.S. Policy Talks
While critics accuse Sanders of legitimizing CCP-aligned institutions, participants argue that the panel reflects a pragmatic approach to AI governance. Experts like MIT’s Max Tegmark emphasized that no single nation can mitigate AI’s global risks alone. The inclusion of Chinese scholars signals a rare diplomatic opening on AI ethics, even amid broader U.S.-China tech tensions.
Key Proposals from the Capitol Hill Panel
The panel outlined three core policy recommendations: (1) a global AI safety certification framework, (2) cross-border data transparency protocols, and (3) joint AI risk modeling initiatives. Sanders also reiterated his support for the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act, co-sponsored with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, which would pause new data center construction until federal oversight is established.
Global AI Governance Frameworks Compared
While the EU’s AI Act sets strict risk-based rules and the U.S. White House AI Bill emphasizes innovation with guardrails, Sanders’ proposal aligns more closely with multilateral oversight models. Unlike unilateral approaches, his vision mirrors elements of the OECD AI Principles and UNESCO’s AI Ethics Guidelines—calling for binding international standards.
Financial Shifts: Sanders Capital Divests from China
Amid the policy debate, Sanders Capital disclosed in its Q4 2025 13F filing that it divested $645 million in Chinese assets, including its entire Alibaba stake, while increasing holdings in U.S.-based AI leaders like Meta and Alphabet. This strategic pivot underscores a distinction between academic collaboration on safety and economic dependence on Chinese tech.
Why Global AI Regulation Is Non-Negotiable in 2026
As AI systems grow more autonomous, Sanders warns that unregulated development threatens democracy, labor markets, and public safety. "A handful of billionaires are making decisions behind closed doors that will shape the future of humanity," he stated. "Working people deserve a seat at the table." The Senate Judiciary Committee has signaled plans for follow-up hearings, while the White House and leading think tanks remain divided on the wisdom of U.S.-China AI policy collaboration. Yet with AI’s impact transcending borders, experts agree: isolated national policies are insufficient.
For the full text of Sanders’ proposed AI safety bill, read the draft here. Learn how the EU AI Act and U.S. proposals compare via the EU Commission. Explore Tsinghua University’s AI governance research here.
