Obama warns of the risks of AI: It must not be left outside public control

Barack Obama has warned that artificial intelligence could become a serious risk if it is not properly managed. The former US president has called on Democrats to develop policies and a governance approach to address the issue, the New York Times reported.

“This technology is developing rapidly in private hands and, if we do not bring it under control, it could become dangerous,” Obama was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

His warnings come at a time when an increasing number of US lawmakers are calling for stricter regulation of AI systems. The debate has also been fueled by the grim statements of two Anthropic researchers, who have warned that the industry’s rapid pace of progress could put the survival of the human race at risk.

According to the New York Times, Obama has asked Hakeem Jeffries, the House Minority Leader, to help build a public debate on artificial intelligence policy if Democrats regain control of the House in the November 3 midterm elections.

He told Jeffries that, once he took the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Democrats should make it a priority to develop a framework for a broad public discussion on the subject.

Obama has also called on candidates running in the 2028 presidential race to make artificial intelligence one of the central issues in their platforms. In his view, they should present a clear plan for addressing concerns related to security and the economy.