Geoffrey Hinton, the AI researcher dubbed the “Godfather of AI” and a recent Nobel laureate, warned lawmakers that Congress may have about a year to put guardrails on artificial intelligence before more advanced systems slip beyond human control. At a closed-door briefing convened by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), Hinton cited accelerating timelines for so‑called superintelligence and the onset of “recursive self‑improvement,” urging a slowdown in development. The warning comes amid legislative gridlock: the House left Washington ahead of the midterms and the Senate has yet to coalesce around a framework. Reps. Ted Lieu (D., Calif.) and Nathaniel Moran (R., Texas) pushed an “AI Kill Switch Act” to ensure developers can shut down powerful models and allow the government to trigger a shutdown in emergencies. Senators Ted Cruz (R., Texas), Maria Cantwell (D., Wash.), Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) and John Thune (R., S.D.) are discussing catastrophic‑risk legislation, though a bipartisan path remains uncertain. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) called the moment a final chance to assert control, while Sen. John Kennedy (R., La.) warned of risks if AI becomes an “independent species.” An effort by Kennedy to advance his own kill‑switch measure was blocked by Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.), underscoring the political hurdles to near‑term action.
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