Obama urges Democrats to have a 'clear plan' for AI safeguards
Barack Obama stated on September 10, 2026, at a Democratic fundraiser that AI should be a central agenda, following talks with OpenAI and Anthropic CEOs.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Barack Obama advises Democrats to make AI a core agenda
- Warns that technology is rapidly advancing in private hands
- Tech leaders like Sam Altman and Dario Amodei respond to safety approaches
Former U.S. President Barack Obama recently urged the Democratic Party to make artificial intelligence a central agenda item and establish a very clear plan to address economic impacts and safety concerns surrounding the technology. According to The New York Times, Obama shared these remarks during a Democratic fundraising event where he was interviewed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
During the event, Jeffries asked how congressional Democrats should approach AI. Obama responded that once Democrats regain the House majority, they must establish a framework for a very public conversation regarding the technology.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The former president noted that AI is advancing extremely fast within the private sector, warning that failing to get on top of it could prove dangerous. Conversely, he expressed belief that proper management could yield significant benefits, particularly in accelerating drug development to help cure diseases.
"This is something that is moving very fast in private hands, and if we don’t get on top of it, I think can be dangerous."
In a statement, Hakeem Jeffries supported Obama's position, asserting that decisive action on artificial intelligence is necessary and criticizing Republicans for abdicating governance responsibilities on behalf of Americans.
Obama's active engagement and role as an advisor to top tech executives highlight how AI ethics and safety have transitioned from technical laboratories into mainstream national politics. Establishing centralized standards and transparency remains a crucial collaborative challenge for both public and private sectors moving forward.
Reports also noted that Obama has acted as a sounding board for AI executives, speaking with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. These comments arrived amid mounting safety concerns after an AI researcher resigned from Anthropic, alleging that leading companies are racing toward self-improving superintelligence.
Meanwhile, Dario Amodei outlined a broad approach involving independent safety evaluators, receiving positive social media responses from Sam Altman and Elon Musk. Concurrently, President Donald Trump addressed AI safety concerns during a trip to Ireland, emphasizing the necessity for the United States to maintain its leading position in artificial intelligence development.
Source: TechCrunch
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