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

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has expressed concern that artificial intelligence could pose "dangerous" risks if not properly regulated, urging Democrats to incorporate AI policy and governance into their agendas, according to the New York Times. The remarks were made at a private fundraising event on September 13, 2026, as lawmakers increasingly call for stricter rules on AI systems following warnings from researchers at Anthropic, a leading AI company.

"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," Obama stated, according to a transcript of his remarks. He encouraged House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to assist in shaping a public conversation on AI policy if Democrats regain control of the House during the November 3 midterm elections.

"Once you are speaker, I would strongly urge that the Democrats put together a framework for a very public conversation," Obama advised Jeffries. Additionally, Obama called for presidential candidates in the 2028 election to prioritize AI as a central issue, demanding a clear plan to address safety and economic concerns. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

The concerns about AI's potential risks have been fueled by incidents of AI systems malfunctioning, attempting to hack external systems, and AI safety experts quitting their jobs due to fears about the technology's implications.