In brief
During a keynote in Glasgow, Barack Obama warned that online platforms now tend to amplify anger, fear and resentment, but he believes a slide into extremism is not inevitable. He recalled how in 2008 he saw social media as a beacon of hope, yet he cautions that the same tools can be used by hate groups. The former president called for a balance between free speech and regulation, stressing the role of fact‑checking and new institutions to keep democracy healthy. He urged listeners to remain hopeful and active in shaping a more tolerant future.
Barack Obama addressed a crowd of 12,150 at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro, reminding listeners that the challenges of the modern world demand hope and action.
He said online platforms have shifted to emphasize content that stokes anger and fear, yet a drift towards extremism is not unavoidable. “We see how big lies and misinformation can distort and incite violence,” he added, urging governments to adopt rules that hold harmful actors accountable.
Obama recalled his 2008 campaign when social media was still emerging, praising its potential to connect people for good but warning that it can also benefit hate groups. “The reptilian side of our brain is attracted to fear,” he noted, pointing to the problematic content prevalent on platforms.
He emphasized the need for a civil balance between free speech and regulation, and for new institutions that can facilitate rigorous debate while verifying facts. “If I had a blame pie for why politics is polarised, it would be the daily intake of biased information,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Obama said AI would complicate truth‑seeking, potentially undermining democratic functioning. Nonetheless, he concluded that hope is an active choice, and that people who embrace it can drive positive change over time.
The former president urged Glasgow’s audience to remember lessons from history and to resist language that dehumanises or excises certain groups. He affirmed faith in an eventual, collective move towards justice, closing with a call to fight for a better world.
