Former President Barack Obama has called on Democrats — including potential 2028 presidential candidates and congressional leaders — to take a more active role in shaping a comprehensive national strategy around artificial intelligence (AI), warning that the technology is at a pivotal moment. Speaking at a closed-door fundraiser in New York with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Obama emphasized that he is neither overly pessimistic about AI’s future nor overly optimistic about its unchecked development. His remarks come as leaders in the AI field, including executives from top research labs and entrepreneur Elon Musk, have increasingly called for slowing AI’s progress, citing concerns about its potential risks. Obama said that if he were running for president, AI would be a central focus of his agenda. He outlined a vision that includes concrete plans for safety, education, and addressing the societal impact of AI. Among his top concerns are the economic consequences of AI-driven job displacement. He asked critical questions: Which sectors would be most affected? How can the government prepare for these changes? What role should the social safety net play in helping those displaced by automation? Obama stressed the need for a thoughtful, proactive response to these challenges. He also urged Congress to take a leadership role, telling Jeffries that Democrats should initiate a public dialogue on AI’s most pressing issues. Comparing AI to other powerful technologies like nuclear energy, Obama noted that unlike nuclear power, AI lacks natural or physical limits and is not inherently under state control. This, he argued, makes it even more important for government oversight. Efforts to pass AI-related legislation in Congress have stalled, partly due to disagreements over how to hold tech companies accountable for harms caused by their AI systems. Another point of contention is whether federal laws should override state-level AI regulations. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he supports discussions with tech leaders but believes the responsibility for ensuring AI safety lies primarily with developers, not lawmakers. President Donald Trump, on the other hand, has downplayed concerns about AI’s risks, focusing instead on ensuring the U.S. remains the global leader in AI development. He has criticized what he calls “very negative forces” raising unnecessary alarms and has emphasized the need to outpace China in AI innovation. In contrast, some Democratic candidates have called for more immediate action. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro have both urged the federal government to establish “guardrails” to prevent AI from causing harm, such as cyberattacks or pandemics. While these calls for regulation are growing, they remain more moderate than some proposals from the far left of the Democratic Party, which have called for a temporary halt to AI development and a permanent ban on “artificial superintelligence.” Obama’s comments highlight the challenges facing the Democratic Party as it seeks to unify around a coherent policy agenda after recent electoral setbacks.