Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act of 2026

Section 4(b) establishes a department with the clear purpose of safeguarding the public from the dangers of artificial intelligence, which directly protects citizens from catastrophic harm.

Section 11 requires anyone who discovers an artificial superintelligence or dangerous precursor traits to report it to the Secretary within 24 hours, ensuring quick action is taken to keep people safe.

Section 14 protects employees, former employees, and independent contractors from retaliation, discrimination, or firing if they report AI violations to the government, law enforcement, or Congress.

Section 16 prohibits the use of federal taxpayer funds for activities that violate the core safety rules of the bill, ensuring government money is not used to back dangerous AI projects.

Section 8 puts a mandatory pause on training, modifying, or fine-tuning advanced AI systems, which could burden researchers and developers by halting their work indefinitely until the government finishes setting up its new rules.

Section 12 requires developers to obtain a charter from the Secretary and agree to forfeit all of their intellectual property and assets to the federal government if their charter is revoked for a violation, which is a heavy financial penalty.

Section 13 imposes severe criminal penalties, including up to 20 years in prison for policymaking individuals or rogue actors who recklessly violate the rules, and a 10-year industry employment ban for other workers.