U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed called for restrictions on artificial intelligence during an Ann Arbor town hall Monday, Oct. 26, eight days before Election Day.

University of Michigan students and other community members attended the “Students vs. Billionaires” event at the Michigan Theater, organized by More Perfect University, MLive reported.

El-Sayed, a 2007 U-M graduate and Ann Arbor-area resident, faces Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race. He would become the nation’s first Muslim senator if elected, according to The Associated Press.

AI regulation

El-Sayed said concerns about artificial intelligence, including its potential effects on employment, are among the issues voters raise with him. He called for a pause in advancing the technology and additional regulation, MLive reported.

He proposed separating large-scale AI laboratories from major technology companies and reorganizing them as public benefit companies governed by publicly appointed boards.

Sanders called for a national moratorium on data centers and a ban on AI superintelligence. He also described concerns raised by psychologists about children’s isolation and use of AI companions.

“It shouldn’t be this hard to get an education and know that there’s going to be a job waiting for you that isn’t going to be automated out by some AI,” El-Sayed said, according to MLive.

Responding to Trump

The town hall followed Trump’s Oct. 25 appearance in Port Huron, where he questioned El-Sayed’s loyalty to the United States and called him a jihadist, MLive reported.

El-Sayed called Trump “an absolute fool.” Sanders described the remarks as “unbelievable and disgusting racism” and urged Michigan voters to reject religious prejudice.

El-Sayed also advocated for union rights, guaranteed health care and limits on corporate power, according to MLive.

Michigan campaign stops

Sanders’ visit included a stop in Alpena, where roughly 700 people attended in a county Trump won by nearly 29 percentage points in 2024, Bridge Michigan reported.

Bridge reported that Sanders and other members of Congress committed more than $1.3 million to El-Sayed’s campaign. Sanders told the outlet the effort was intended to counter outside groups’ attack advertising.

Musician Ted Leo opened the Ann Arbor event. Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi also addressed the audience, MLive reported.

Michigan’s general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.