Former President Barack Obama has weighed in on the growing concerns surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), responding to comments made by President Donald Trump. Trump suggested that a "strong and smart" president could act as a "guardrail" for AI, a notion that has sparked debate among experts and policymakers. In a recent statement, Obama clarified his stance, emphasizing that he does not believe AI will either lead to an ideal future or inevitably cause human extinction. Instead, he warned that the technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, outpacing the ability of engineers and regulators to keep up with its developments. Obama stressed that the future impact of AI—whether it brings breakthroughs in medicine, energy, and education or causes economic instability and inequality—will depend on the choices people make now. He argued that these decisions should not be left solely to the companies developing AI, but should involve society as a whole. His comments come amid growing calls to slow the pace of AI development, fueled by concerns over its rapid progress and potential risks. The push for caution began when Dario Amodei, CEO of the AI company Anthropic, warned that AI has been advancing much faster than expected since the summer of 2023. Amodei proposed a three-step plan to address these concerns, including the use of independent evaluators to assess AI systems and the establishment of global safety standards. His suggestions have gained support from other major figures in the AI industry, including Elon Musk and Sam Altman. Musk endorsed the idea of independent oversight on his social media platform, X, while Altman expressed agreement with Amodei’s approach. In contrast, President Trump has dismissed warnings about AI’s potential dangers, comparing them to past concerns about climate change that he claims were exaggerated. He argued that the U.S. already has the leadership needed to manage AI, pointing to himself as a "strong and smart" president. Meanwhile, former Vice President Kamala Harris has called for a slowdown in AI development to ensure it serves the public interest. Harris, seen as a potential candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, emphasized the need for "sensible guardrails" to prevent AI from becoming uncontrollable and endangering the future. She stressed that a slowdown does not mean abandoning AI’s potential, but rather ensuring its benefits are realized safely and responsibly.