Senator Bernie Sanders is drawing intensifying criticism ahead of a planned April 29 Capitol event featuring artificial intelligence researchers from the United States and China, with opponents arguing his warnings about the “existential threat” of AI—and his push for international cooperation—could slow development and advantage Beijing as it works to close the technological gap.
The high-profile discussion, which Sanders has framed as a response to the dangers posed by rapidly advancing AI, will bring together U.S. experts such as MIT physicist Max Tegmark alongside Chinese participants tied to institutions including Tsinghua University and the Beijing Institute of AI Safety and Governance.
In a social media post announcing the discussion, Sanders stated: “Uncontrolled AI poses a severe danger to all of humanity. On Wednesday, I’ll be hosting a discussion with leading AI scientists from the US and China about the need for international cooperation against this existential threat. This is an enormously important issue.”
The inclusion of Chinese institutions, however, has triggered backlash from conservative commentators and national security hawks, who argue the forum comes at a time of heightened concern over China’s efforts to expand its AI capabilities, including through the acquisition of American technology and research.
A widely circulated post on Twitter captured that criticism: “We’re living in the upside down when a U.S. Senator is working with the CCP to regulate AI in the U.S.” The post, which included the event flyer, drew responses accusing Sanders of undermining American innovation and questioning the prudence of engaging Chinese entities on regulatory frameworks.
We're living in the upside down when a U.S. Senator is working with the CCP to regulate AI in the U.S. pic.twitter.com/mQPPIxhV4Y
— T Wolf 🌁 (@Twolfrecovery) April 27, 2026
Critics argue that, if adopted broadly, Sanders’ approach could constrain U.S. development while competitors like China continue to advance. They also contend that inviting representatives from institutions such as Tsinghua University—a leading Chinese university with ties to the state—raises further concerns about the direction of U.S. policy.
“China is aggressively targeting American innovation to close the gap and dominate the future of AI, yet here comes Bernie, eager to ‘cooperate’ on so-called existential risks,” one conservative commentator wrote.
Supporters of the April 29 forum, including some AI safety advocates, view the event differently, arguing that the risks associated with advanced artificial intelligence transcend national boundaries and require coordination even among geopolitical rivals. They contend that issues such as loss of control over highly advanced systems or unintended consequences from rapid deployment cannot be managed by any single country acting alone.
Tegmark, a co-founder of the Future of Life Institute, has been a leading voice in that debate, advocating for global guardrails that would allow innovation to continue while reducing the likelihood of catastrophic outcomes.
The timing of the event underscores the broader strategic tension between Washington and Beijing. The two nations remain locked in a technological rivalry marked by export controls on advanced semiconductors, restrictions on AI-related investment, and increasing scrutiny of cross-border research collaboration. While American firms continue to lead in frontier AI development, China has made significant gains in applied systems and has expressed interest in shaping international standards around AI safety.
As the panel approaches, questions remain about the scope of the discussion and whether it will focus on theoretical risks or move toward specific policy recommendations. Sanders’ office has not released a detailed agenda or indicated whether the event could result in joint statements or formal proposals.
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