Obama Highlighted the Risks of Artificial Intelligence

Former US President Barack Obama warned that artificial intelligence (AI) could be “dangerous” if not handled properly, and called on Democrats to develop policy and regulatory frameworks to address the issue, the New York Times reported on Sunday.

These remarks, made at a recent private fundraising event, come as a growing number of US lawmakers call for stricter regulation of AI systems, following dire warnings from two Anthropic researchers that rapid progress in the field risks the extinction of the human race.

“This is something that is moving very fast in private hands, and if we don't get on top of it, I think can be dangerous”, the newspaper quoted Obama as saying.

Citing a partial transcript of Obama’s remarks from his office, the paper reported that Obama called on House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to help shape the public debate on AI policy, should Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives in the midterm elections on 3 November.

He also called on candidates in the 2028 presidential election to make AI a central part of their platforms, with a very clear plan to address related security and economic issues, the newspaper reported.

(Reuters, su)