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Former President Barack Obama urged Democrats during a private fundraiser in New York City on Thursday to place artificial intelligence near the center of their political agenda ahead of the midterms and 2028 presidential race while warning that the technology could become dangerous without greater oversight as voters increasingly raise concerns about jobs, privacy and data centers.
Obama, speaking alongside House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., warned party donors and lawmakers that policymakers risk losing control of an industry developing largely in private hands, The New York Times reported.
“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,” Obama said. “If we do get on top of it, I do think it’s beneficial. I genuinely think it’s going to accelerate, for example, drug development in ways that can help us cure diseases. I do think that this can help us figure out pathways for a clean energy future.”
RNC member and Humans First Chairwoman Amy Kremer told Fox News Digital on Sunday that she agreed policymakers need to recognize both AI’s benefits and risks, but pushed back on turning greater authority over to the federal government or technology companies.
Former President Barack Obama privately urged Democrats to make artificial intelligence a central political issue, warning the technology could become “dangerous” if policymakers fail to get ahead of it. (Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
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“You don’t have to agree on politics to recognize reality: AI is moving incredibly fast, and policymakers need to understand both the opportunities and the very real risks that come with it,” Kremer told Fox News Digital. “Where I likely disagree with President Obama is on what government should do about it. The answer isn’t handing Washington bureaucrats more control, and it certainly isn’t allowing Big Tech to write the rules that govern itself.”
“We need guardrails that protect Americans while allowing American innovation to lead the world. That means protecting children, workers and our national security, while making sure China doesn’t win the AI race,” she continued.
Obama’s warning comes as Fox News Digital polling found substantial voter resistance to the infrastructure powering the AI boom.
A July Fox News poll found 70% of registered voters opposed construction of AI data centers in their communities, compared with 30% who supported them.
Obama is pushing Democrats to develop a clear AI agenda ahead of the midterms and 2028, as voter concerns grow over data centers, jobs, privacy and the rapid pace of the technology. (Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)
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The debate has also divided Republicans as data centers become a more prominent midterm issue. Several Republican candidates have called for limits or pauses on new projects despite President Donald Trump’s support for expanding data-center development.
At the closed-door fundraiser, Obama directly urged Jeffries to prepare Democrats to make AI policy a public issue if the party takes control of the House.
“Once you are speaker, I would strongly urge that the Democrats put together a framework for a very public conversation,” Obama said.
Obama also urged prospective 2028 presidential candidates to develop a “very clear plan” for AI and make the technology one of their “central agendas,” according to the partial transcript provided by his office to The New York Times. He identified potential job displacement and effects on children among the issues candidates should address.
Public anxiety extends beyond data centers. An April Fox News poll found 63% of voters believed AI hurts privacy, while 56% said it hurts U.S. job creation. Just 21% said the technology helps job creation.
President Donald Trump has emphasized rapid AI development and U.S. competition with China, drawing a contrast with Obama’s call for Democrats to prioritize greater oversight of the technology. (Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images; Sarah Rice/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Trump has emphasized rapid AI development and maintaining the United States’ competitive position against China. His administration unveiled its first national AI policy framework in March, calling for a consistent national standard while addressing issues including free speech, child safety and energy costs.
“The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor,” Trump said.
Concerns about AI accelerated again Saturday when Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for slowing the development race, warning that advances could outpace humans’ ability to understand and control the systems. Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman subsequently expressed support for Amodei’s call.
Jeffries backed Obama’s call for action and sought to draw a contrast with Republicans.
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“President Obama is correct that decisive action must be taken on artificial intelligence,” Jeffries said, adding that “Republicans have abdicated their responsibility to govern on behalf of the American people. We will not repeat their error.”
House Democrats are already developing an AI policy framework that is expected to be released this fall after review by Jeffries, according to The New York Times.
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Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and Palantir for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.