Former President Barack Obama is calling on Democratic leaders and potential 2028 candidates to prioritize a clear, proactive agenda for artificial intelligence regulation.

Former President Barack Obama is urging Democrats to adopt a more aggressive and comprehensive approach to artificial intelligence. Speaking at a closed-door fundraiser in Manhattan alongside House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Obama warned that the technology is at an inflection point and requires a clear framework for safety and economic protection. He stated that if he were currently running for president, establishing a strategy for AI development would be one of his central campaign agendas.

Policy Priorities and Economic Concerns

Obama emphasized the need for Democrats to address potential job displacement and the impact of AI on the social safety net. He argued that the party must move beyond a passive stance to ensure that the technology remains beneficial rather than dangerous. His comments come as other Democratic figures, including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, have also recently called for federal guardrails and safety limits on AI development. These calls for regulation vary in intensity within the party. While some officials advocate for specific safeguards and rules, others, such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Greg Casar, have proposed pausing the development of advanced models and banning artificial superintelligence entirely.

Legislative Challenges and Political Context

Efforts to pass federal AI legislation in Congress have faced significant hurdles. A Senate proposal led by Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senate Majority Leader John Thune remains stalled due to disagreements over legal liability for tech companies and the potential preemption of state-level AI laws. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed support for discussions with industry leaders but maintains that developers bear the primary responsibility for product safety. Obama’s current focus on AI represents a shift from his administration’s historically tech-friendly approach, which included a 2011 town hall at Facebook headquarters and a 2013 decision by the Federal Trade Commission not to sue Google for antitrust violations. Obama acknowledged that the party faces a leadership vacuum as it works to unify its policy agenda following the 2024 election cycle.