Former US President Barack Obama is urging the Democratic Party to elevate artificial intelligence regulation to a core political priority. He warns that unregulated AI development risks increasing social inequality and undermining public trust in objective reality.
Obama has been actively involved in AI policy since 2022, when he first called for corporate accountability. In 2023, he advised the White House on an executive order regarding voluntary AI testing and bias mitigation, later supporting administration initiatives in March 2024.
As of September 2026, Congress is considering multiple legislative proposals, including the FRONTIER Act for safety benchmarks and the AI Kill Switch Act for emergency system shutdowns. Despite these efforts, no comprehensive federal legislation has been passed.
House Democrats are currently discussing the creation of a select committee on AI with subpoena power. This move would mark a shift from the current practice of holding hearings toward more direct oversight of the technology sector.
The push for regulation comes ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, as technology concerns become a significant issue for voters. Obama’s advocacy aims to force legislative action rather than continued bipartisan debate.
