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'We can't stuff AI back in a box' says former US president Barack Obama, confirming he's 'not a doomer' while still calling for more government AI regulation
'But we can collectively determine how it's developed and how it’s used.'
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The great AI debate has heated up in recent weeks, amid calls from some industry figures for a slowdown in development—although others, like Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, seem keen to dismiss many of those calls as simple doomsaying.
Now, former US president Barack Obama has posted his thoughts on X regarding the issue, and it's something of a balanced take.
"I was encouraged this week to see the leaders of the frontier labs agree on the need for them to slow down the pace of AI development. Given the stakes, it’s a good and necessary first step," said the former US commander in chief. "But I’m even more encouraged by the growing recognition that how this powerful new technology develops should be at the center of our public debate."
While the former president said that it's clear to him "the potential impact of this technology is not overhyped," he also recognised that the industry is moving "at lightning speed—even faster than those who are engineering it can keep up with."
"I’m not an AI accelerationist who believes it will lead to some techno-utopia, and I’m not a doomer who thinks it will inevitably lead to humanity’s destruction," Obama continued. "But whether this technology results in amazing breakthroughs in medicine, energy and education or unleashes huge economic disruptions, greater inequality, and potential catastrophe will depend on the choices that we make right now—choices that should be made not just by the companies involved, but by all of us."
I was encouraged this week to see the leaders of the frontier labs agree on the need for them to slow down the pace of AI development. Given the stakes, it’s a good and necessary first step. But I’m even more encouraged by the growing recognition that how this powerful new…September 14, 2026
The former president then highlighted Project Blueprint, an effort to link US Democratic politicians with industry leaders to create more robust standards for AI regulation. However, it seems Obama isn't too keen on the idea of AI industry luminaries marking their own homework.
"At the end of the day, voluntary standards made by a handful of tech companies won’t be enough," he continued. "We need government—and specifically our leaders in Washington—to get proactive in coming up with concrete proposals, laws and regulations that deal with serious safety concerns, anticipate AI’s impact on jobs and our kids, and make sure that AI’s benefits are widely spread."