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US Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Greg Casar introduced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act on September 23, which would permanently ban the development and use of artificial superintelligence.

The bill would also immediately freeze development of advanced AI systems until a new cabinet-level AI agency sets safety rules. Companies that violate it could face forced dissolution; individuals up to 20 years in prison.

It is only a proposed bill, not yet in committee, and far from becoming law; the thing to track is whether it gains cosponsors and a hearing.

Google has started testing a new feature called "Call for Me" that lets Gemini call businesses on a user's behalf. It is initially available to Pixel 11 owners in the U.S. who pay for a Gemini subscription, and requires the beta version of Google's Phone app for Android.

Unlike last year's "Ask for Me," which could only inquire about pricing or services, Gemini can now share personal information the user approves, letting it handle more complex tasks such as checking whether a product is in stock, making a restaurant reservation, rescheduling an appointment, or placing items on hold. Calls are dialed from the user's own number, and users can follow a live transcript and take over at any time.

Google says it is starting at a small scale because "real-world conversations are nuanced." Meta's Muse and similar agents already make calls on users' behalf, and how well this feature actually performs remains to be seen.