97% of Americans Want AI Regulated, Bernie Sanders Says Congress Is Ignoring Them

Senator Bernie Sanders called on Congress to regulate artificial intelligence (AI), citing polls showing overwhelming public support for safety rules. 

The statement comes as the Vermont independent continues to push for stronger AI regulation, including the introduction of the AI Data Center Moratorium Act alongside Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in March.

Bernie Sanders Tells Lawmakers to Pick Voters Over Big Tech

Sanders posted his comments on X, arguing Congress has ignored sustained public demand for AI safeguards. He framed the dispute as a battle between voters and Big Tech.

“Maybe, just maybe, it’s time Congress listened to the American people — not just the billionaires pushing it — and regulated AI,” he said.

The senator pointed to findings from Semafor and Gallup surveys, which showed that 70% of Americans believe AI is moving too fast, while 97% said AI safety should be regulated.

“77% think entire industries will be eliminated,” he added.

A recent Politico poll also found that 44% of respondents believe AI is developing too quickly. In addition, nearly two-thirds support either strict regulation or broader regulatory guidelines for the industry.

Meanwhile, concerns over public sentiment toward the industry appear to be intensifying, with growing backlash against AI reportedly gaining momentum. In several recent incidents, commencement speakers were booed after mentioning AI.

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Democrats Reject Sanders’ Bill Over China Competition

This is not the first time Sanders has pushed for action on the issue. His March proposal sought to introduce what he described as a “reasonable pause” on AI development to help safeguard humanity.

“We cannot sit back and allow a handful of billionaire Big Tech oligarchs to make decisions that will reshape our economy, our democracy and the future of humanity. We need serious public debate and democratic oversight over this enormously consequential issue. The time for action is now. We need a federal moratorium on AI data centers,” he stated.

However, some have pushed back against the bill. Senator John Fetterman labeled the moratorium “China First” in an X post. Senator Mark Warner even called the bill “idiocy” at an Axios summit, warning it would let Beijing pull ahead.

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