Obama urges Democrats to make a safety plan for AI

Former President Barack Obama is calling on Democrats to take charge of how the country handles artificial intelligence, or AI. Last week, he spoke at a private fundraiser in Manhattan, New York, where he urged party leaders to build a clear plan for AI safety. Obama said the plan should cover everything from slowing down risky AI development to protecting children and American workers.

Obama spoke directly to Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the US House of Representatives. He told Jeffries that once he becomes Speaker of the House, Democrats should lead a very public conversation about AI. 'I would strongly urge that the Democrats put together a framework for a very public conversation,' Obama said, according to a transcript first reported by the New York Times.

Obama described AI as a technology that is growing quickly and largely outside of government control. He warned that if leaders do not act soon, the technology could become dangerous. At the same time, he said AI could bring big benefits, like helping scientists discover new medicines and finding ways to create cleaner energy.

Obama also talked about protecting young people from harmful effects of AI. He said leaders should be able to tell the public, 'Here's our plan for safety. Here's our plan for making sure our kids are not corrupted by this.' His comments show a growing worry among some leaders that AI is moving faster than the rules meant to control it.

Obama made these remarks at a time when the US is heading toward midterm elections and Congress has done very little about AI. Some Democratic lawmakers, and even a few Republicans, have called for rules on AI technology. Meanwhile, President Trump has tried to help the AI industry by pushing a bill that would stop states from making their own AI rules, though that bill did not pass.

One big topic in the election is AI data centers — large buildings filled with computers that power AI companies. Communities around the country have started pushing back against these centers, worried about their size, energy use, and impact on local areas. Both political parties have run ads against data centers, making it a rare issue that people from very different political backgrounds agree on.

Trump has taken a very different view from Obama on AI. On a recent trip to Ireland, Trump told reporters that concerns about AI are overblown and that his top goal is for the US to stay ahead of China in AI development. 'Whoever wins AI wins,' Trump said, and he has posted on social media that communities that oppose data centers will end up 'backwards and poor.'

AI leaders themselves have sent mixed messages about safety. Some have said the race to build more powerful AI should slow down, but many also want to keep investors happy. Investments in AI are expected to top one trillion dollars in 2026 alone, making it very hard for companies to pump the brakes.