# Democrats flip on AI after years of cheerleading

> Party leaders who once praised artificial intelligence's economic potential now call for regulation and slower development, drawing GOP criticism of political timing.
- Title: Democrats flip on AI after years of cheerleading · Fox News
- Summary: Party leaders who once praised artificial intelligence's economic potential now call for regulation and slower development, drawing GOP criticism of…
- Keywords: artificial intelligence, democrats, barack obama, kamala harris, chuck schumer, donald trump, ai regulation, data centers, frontier ai, midterm elections, china competition, news
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/politics/democrats-embraced-ais-growth-before-trump-came-along-now-want-slow-down
- Author: Ashley DiMella
- Published: 2026-09-16T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: artificial intelligence, democrats, barack obama, kamala harris, chuck schumer, donald trump, ai regulation, data centers, frontier ai, midterm elections, china competition, news
## Democrats shift on AI overnight
Party leaders who spent years promoting artificial intelligence's economic potential now call for regulation and slower development. Former President Obama joined the push this week.
## Obama calls for government action
Obama said Washington must create concrete laws addressing AI safety, job impacts, and ensuring benefits are widely shared. He warned that choices shouldn't be left to tech companies alone.

> We need government, and specifically our leaders in Washington, to get proactive in coming up with concrete proposals, laws and regulations
## 2016 Obama praised AI growth
Obama's White House in 2016 highlighted AI's potential to open new markets and drive progress in health, education, and energy while warning about job disruption.

> Advances in AI technology hold incredible potential to help the United States stay on the cutting edge of innovation
## Harris also reversed course
Vice President Harris said in January 2025 the U.S. must remain the global AI leader. Now she calls the technology's pace alarming and urges Congress to establish stronger safety standards.

> The frontier of artificial intelligence is advancing at an alarming speed
## Biden administration accelerated AI
The Biden administration announced an executive order to speed up AI infrastructure buildout, including large data centers and clean-energy projects to keep the U.S. ahead of global competitors.
## GOP questions timing of shift
Attorney General Todd Blanche said Democrats' sudden focus on AI risks months before midterm elections is politically motivated, not genuine policy concern.

> Every Democrat senator suddenly races to a microphone to talk about AI after being eerily silent for months
## Trump prioritizes AI competition
Trump's administration is making rapid AI development and data centers a priority, promoting the technology's economic benefits while facing scrutiny over infrastructure costs.
## AI becomes midterm battleground
Data centers and AI have quickly become major midterm issues as concerns over electricity costs, jobs, and rapid buildout draw attention from candidates in both parties.
## Key takeaway

Democratic leaders have shifted from promoting AI growth to calling for regulation and slower development, a reversal that Republicans say is politically motivated.