Obama urges Democrats to put AI safety and economy at the forefront

Former President Barack Obama told Democrats on Thursday that artificial intelligence must become a central agenda and that a very clear plan is needed to tackle the technology’s economic impact and safety risks, the New York Times reported. Obama made the remarks during a Democratic fundraising event where House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries interviewed him. The newspaper added that Obama’s office supplied a paragraph outlining his position. The call comes as the tech conference Disrupt 2026 prepares to showcase leading AI firms. OpenAI, Anthropic, Replit and other companies will dominate six industry stages at the event. Organisers are offering a 25% discount on tickets and a savings of up to $300 for early buyers. The promotional push follows strong interest in the conference, which returns after a popular previous edition. Obama’s emphasis on AI aligns with growing worries about job displacement and potential misuse of advanced systems. He urged party leaders to craft policies that protect workers while fostering responsible innovation. Jeffries echoed the need for bipartisan cooperation to set standards for AI development. The New York Times noted that the discussion highlighted both the economic opportunities and the safety challenges posed by rapid AI growth. Disrupt 2026 is scheduled later this year, inviting students, startups and investors to explore the future of artificial intelligence.