Former US President Barack Obama has publicly advocated for federal legislation to regulate artificial intelligence. In a statement released on Monday, he warned that improper management of the technology could lead to potential disasters. Obama emphasized that AI policy must become a central topic of public debate, urging Washington policymakers to take proactive steps to address security concerns, labor market impacts, and the equitable distribution of benefits.
Obama criticized the current approach of relying on voluntary standards set by a few technology companies. This stance contrasts with the policy established by Donald Trump in June, which introduced a voluntary framework allowing developers to share frontier models with the government for safety assessments. Trump has recently dismissed concerns regarding AI existential risks as a hoax on social media.
The former president is positioning the Democratic Party to support stricter AI safety measures ahead of the upcoming midterm elections and the 2028 presidential cycle. During a private fundraiser last Sunday, Obama urged Democratic leadership to prioritize AI issues. He suggested that future presidential candidates should develop clear strategies to tackle the security and economic challenges posed by the rapid development of AI.
