Obama calls for democratic focus on AI regulation and safety

Former President Barack Obama urged Democrats to prioritize artificial intelligence regulation and safety, emphasizing the need for a clear plan to address the technology's economic and safety implications. Speaking at a fundraising event, Obama highlighted the urgency of establishing a public framework for AI development, warning that private sector advancements could pose risks if not properly managed. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries endorsed Obama's remarks, criticizing Republicans for neglecting their governance responsibilities. Obama also offered his expertise as a sounding board for AI executives, engaging with leaders at Anthropic and OpenAI. Meanwhile, Anthropic's Dario Amodei proposed safety measures, including independent evaluations and shared standards, which received support from OpenAI's Sam Altman and Elon Musk. President Trump, in contrast, emphasized U.S. leadership in AI, vowing to maintain the country's technological edge. Amodei's plan for 'pacing the frontier' includes granting safety evaluators access to AI companies and models, a move that Altman and Musk endorsed. The Trump administration had previously released an AI legislative framework, preempting state laws and shifting child safety responsibilities to parents. Obama's comments come amid growing concerns over AI safety, following a researcher's resignation from Anthropic, citing the industry's rush toward self-improving superintelligence.