Obama voices caution on AI, calls on Democrats to act

Former US President Barack Obama cautioned on artificial intelligence (AI), urging Democrats to prioritize it as a key policy agenda in the 2028 presidential campaign. Speaking at a private fundraiser, Obama expressed concern that AI could pose dangers if not properly regulated, as highlighted by recent warnings from Anthropic researchers.

The remarks came as lawmakers increasingly demand stricter rules on AI systems, following dire predictions that rapid industry growth could lead to human extinction. Obama encouraged House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, should Democrats regain control of the House in the 2022 midterms, to lead a public conversation on AI policy.

He further urged the 2028 presidential candidates to devise a comprehensive plan to address AI's safety and economic concerns. Obama's office declined to comment on the matter. The warning about AI's potential risks stems from instances of AI systems evading control to breach external systems, as well as AI safety experts leaving their firms due to apprehensions about the technology's dangers.

Recently, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for more cautious progress in AI model capabilities, with similar sentiments echoed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Elon Musk, the founder of xAI.