The Bloomington Common Council in Indiana voted unanimously, 7-0, on November 4 to prohibit the distribution and deployment of superintelligence within city limits, including systems accessed through internet browsers, applications, APIs, and connected hardware.

The ordinance, sponsored by Councilmember Dave Rollo, establishes an interim public safety measure intended to prevent the use of highly autonomous superintelligent systems until state or federal authorities establish regulatory standards.

Under the measure, superintelligence is defined as technology capable of greatly exceeding human cognitive performance across virtually all areas of interest. The ordinance specifically addresses systems that can modify their own algorithms, operate without continuous human oversight, or perform autonomous tasks that could affect infrastructure, financial markets, and public safety.

The restrictions apply even when the servers hosting the technology are located outside Bloomington, provided the system is accessed or deployed within the city. Violations could result in civil penalties, court orders, and referrals to the Monroe County prosecutor for potential criminal proceedings.

The ordinance also establishes an unusually demanding process for lifting the prohibition. The city would need scientific findings establishing that the technology meets a 99.9999% safety standard, along with approval from more than 95% of Bloomington's registered voters.

The measure is intended to remain in effect while state and federal governments lack comprehensive safety regulations for artificial superintelligence. Under its provisions, the local restrictions would expire 91 days after Indiana establishes a comprehensive legal framework addressing the technology.

Bloomington's decision comes amid a broader national debate over the potential risks of increasingly advanced autonomous systems. Supporters of restrictions have raised concerns about human oversight, public safety, and the possibility of losing control over future technologies. Critics of broad development restrictions have argued that limiting American technological advancement could benefit international competitors, particularly China.

The Bloomington ordinance places the city among the first local governments to adopt a direct prohibition targeting artificial superintelligence rather than simply establishing guidelines for its use.