Obama warns AI could reshape humanity as tech leaders agree to slow development
Former United States President Barack Obama has welcomed an agreement by leaders of frontier artificial intelligence (AI) labs to slow the pace of AI development, describing the move as a necessary first step given the potential impact of the technology. Speaking on his account on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Obama said he was encouraged by […]
Former U.S. President Barack Obama welcomed a recent agreement by leaders of frontier artificial intelligence (AI) labs to decelerate the pace of AI development, describing it as a crucial first step given the technology's potential implications. In an online statement on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Obama expressed encouragement over the heightened awareness that AI development should become a focal point of public discourse.
Obama, who has been tracking AI advancements for over a decade, emphasized the technology's rapid progress, with updates occurring so swiftly that even engineers struggle to keep pace. "I was encouraged this week to see the leaders of the frontier labs agree on the need for them to slow down the pace of AI development. Given the stakes, it’s a good and necessary first step," he stated.
Obama refrained from endorsing either extreme perspective on AI—either that it would usher in a utopian technological era or inevitably lead to humanity's downfall. Instead, he argued that the future impact of AI hinges on decisions made in the present. He cautioned that while AI could bring about significant advancements in fields like medicine, energy, and education, it could also precipitate substantial economic disruption, widen inequality, and pose catastrophic risks.
Obama asserted that decisions regarding AI's development should not be confined to the realm of technology companies alone. He emphasized that the public must play a role in shaping the trajectory of this powerful technology, considering its potential to influence society and the global economy. The former president deemed the agreement by leaders of frontier AI labs to curtail AI development a significant beginning, but he stressed that broader public discussions are essential to determine the direction of the technology.
He urged greater emphasis on the choices being made at this juncture, as they will ultimately decide whether AI becomes a catalyst for substantial breakthroughs or exacerbates economic and social challenges.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
