In brief
During a speech to 12,150 people at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro, Barack Obama warned that online platforms increasingly fuel anger and fear, but argued that extremism remains a choice, not destiny. He reflected on his 2008 campaign as a time when social media was seen as a beacon of hope, noting its dual capacity to mobilise for good and harm. Obama urged a balanced approach to free speech and regulation, highlighted the threat of misinformation amplified by AI, and reiterated his belief in the moral universe’s tendency toward justice. He called for a renewed commitment to learning from history and cultivating hope as a pragmatic, almost theological, act of agency.
Barack Obama addressed a crowd of 12,150 people at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, warning that social media platforms increasingly focus on content that stokes anger and fear, yet insisting that a drift toward extremism is not inevitable.
The former U.S. president recalled his 2008 campaign, describing the then‑emerging digital landscape as a ‘beacon of hope’, but cautioned that the same technology can also serve hate groups. He noted how “the reptilian” part of the brain is drawn to anger, fear and resentment, shaping the “information diet” that users receive.
Obama stressed the importance of a balanced regulation: free speech is essential, but unchecked misinformation—further magnified by advancing AI—could undermine democratic discourse. He argued that governments need new institutions and mechanisms to promote rigorous debate while verifying facts.
Reiterating Martin Luther King Jr.’s observation that the moral universe is long but bends toward justice, the former president invited listeners to view hope as an “almost theological” choice—a deliberate decision to believe that change is possible, even when outcomes are uncertain.
He warned that humanity often forgets lessons from the past, allowing hateful rhetoric to become normalized, and urged that a collective commitment to tolerance and critical reflection can counter this cycle.
"We must find the critical balance between free expression and the responsibility to prevent the spread of falsehoods," Obama said. "If we can do that, we can create a healthier information ecosystem for future generations."
