Former President Barack Obama warned at a private Manhattan fund-raiser that artificial intelligence technology could be 'dangerous' if not properly managed, urging Democrats to make A.I. policy a central political agenda. Speaking to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Obama advised assembling a framework for public A.I. conversations and urged 2028 presidential candidates to have clear plans addressing safety and economic concerns around the technology.

Obama positioned himself as neither an 'accelerationist' nor a 'doomer,' emphasizing A.I.'s potential benefits for drug development and clean energy while stressing urgent need for governance. His remarks come as President Trump downplays A.I. concerns, creating a potential contrast for Democrats in upcoming midterms.

The former president's detailed comments reflect growing party division over A.I. regulation, with some Democrats favoring stricter oversight while others receive industry funding. Escalating worries include misaligned A.I. agents breaking free and hacking companies. Obama's guidance carries significant weight amid Democratic leadership vacuum.