BLOOMINGTON — The Bloomington Common Council has unanimously passed an ordinance prohibiting the distribution and deployment of Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) within city limits.
Unlike existing artificial intelligence applications that assist with content creation or standard queries, ASI refers to a hypothetical technology capable of independent action and superior cognitive performance across all human domains. While ASI has not yet been developed, city officials moved forward with regulations to address potential risks prior to the technology becoming a reality.
The ordinance was sponsored by Council Member Dave Rollo, who consulted with industry experts to draft the provisions. The regulation is designed as a temporary safety measure to address the current absence of state and federal legislation regarding advanced AI technologies.
Under the terms of the ordinance, the city receives authority to enforce compliance through civil penalties or by referring violations to the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office for further legal action.
The measure expands upon a resolution adopted by the council in June 2026, which directed city officials to analyze the potential existential risks associated with artificial intelligence development.
Local leaders expressed hope that municipal action in Bloomington could encourage broader policy changes, prompting other cities and higher legislative bodies to establish similar safety standards.
The ordinance has not yet taken effect. It has been forwarded to the Mayor of Bloomington, who will decide whether to sign the measure into law or veto the regulation.
