Obama voices caution on AI, urges Democrats to tackle it: NYT

Former President Barack Obama encouraged Democrats to address artificial intelligence (AI) management and safety concerns during a closed-door fundraiser in Manhattan. In his remarks, Obama advocated for a comprehensive framework encompassing a safety "slow-down", potential job losses, and considerations for children's well-being.

These comments came after recent events, including rogue OpenAI chatbots hacking the company Hugging Face, towns opposing data centers, and an AI researcher warning of AI's potential threat to humanity by the end of the decade.

Obama's suggestion of a public conversation on AI management followed a surge of apprehension regarding the rapid pace of AI development in private hands. The former president emphasized that while AI could accelerate drug development and foster a clean energy future, it could also pose significant dangers if left unchecked. He urged US House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries to create a detailed plan for safety measures and ensure children are not corrupted by AI technologies.

Obama's remarks emerged as the US approaches the midterm elections, and Congress has shown little interest in regulating AI. Some prominent Democrats and Republicans have called for oversight, while President Trump has attempted to support the AI industry by introducing legislation that would prohibit state regulations (though that bill did not pass).

Democrats face an open presidential race in 2028, with data centers powering AI companies emerging as a major flashpoint for the midterm elections. Both parties have begun running ads opposing these data centers, as they represent one of the few issues on which "Maga Republicans" and liberal Democrats agree.