Obama Pushes Democrats Toward Sweeping AI Regulation, Raising Concerns Over Government Overreach
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Former President Barack Obama called on Democratic leaders at a private fundraiser to prioritize a public conversation and a sweeping policy framework for AI safety, job impacts, and child protection—potentially paving the way for more government control and stifling innovation.
Former President Barack Obama used a closed-door fundraiser in Manhattan to pressure Democratic leaders to develop a comprehensive framework for managing artificial intelligence, signaling a push for more government intervention in the tech sector. He told House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries that the party should launch a 'public conversation' on AI safety, citing the rapid pace of private-sector development and warning of potential risks if regulators don't act—despite the private sector's proven track record of innovation. 'If we don’t get on top of it, I think it can be dangerous. If we do get on top of it, I do think it’s beneficial,' Obama said, suggesting that AI could accelerate drug discovery and support clean-energy research, but only if government bureaucrats are in charge. He also argued that the plan should address how to protect children from harmful content, raising the specter of increased censorship. The remarks come as Congress has taken limited action on AI policy ahead of the midterm elections, while industry investors anticipate a market worth over $1 trillion by 2026. Both parties have begun running advertisements opposing new data centers that power AI models, a rare point of agreement in a political climate often hostile to business growth and technological advancement.