Yesterday, we lost a cherished member of our family. We got Sunny at the start of our second term in the White House, and all of us – including our first dog, Bo – immediately fell in love. We also had trouble keeping up with her, for Sunny was a force of nature. Athletic and full of boundless energy, she leapt over the hedges on the South Lawn like they weren’t even there, chasing squirrels, birds and anything else that moved. And whereas the way to Bo’s heart usually involved a treat, Sunny was more interested in having us run around with her, roll on the floor with her, or have her belly rubbed for as long as we were willing. She loved the girls, even if they were pestering her when she was napping. She loved our team, and would often follow them around, helping them on the job. She was fiercely protective of Bo, who she rightly sensed wasn’t always as alert and attentive as she was. She had her eccentricities: other than Bo, she preferred people to dogs; she was a loud and sloppy drinker; and despite being a Portuguese Water Dog, she hated getting wet. But as far as our family was concerned, she was pretty much perfect, and for thirteen years, she would be by our side – always loyal, always sweet, always ready for adventure, still fiery and gorgeous till the very end of her days. We will miss her terribly, and imagine she’s with her big brother now, making sure he’s okay.

I was encouraged this week to see the leaders of the frontier labs agree on the need for them to slow down the pace of AI development. Given the stakes, it’s a good and necessary first step.   But I’m even more encouraged by the growing recognition that how this powerful new technology develops should be at the center of our public debate.   I’ve been watching the progress on AI for over a decade now, and one thing that’s clear to me is that the potential impact of this technology is not overhyped. It’s also moving at lightning speed – and even faster than those who are engineering it can keep up with.   I’m not an AI accelerationist who believes it will lead to some techno-utopia, and I’m not a doomer who thinks it will inevitably lead to humanity’s destruction. But whether this technology results in amazing breakthroughs in medicine, energy and education or unleashes huge economic disruptions, greater inequality, and potential catastrophe will depend on the choices that we make right now – choices that should be made not just by the companies involved, but by all of us.

Best wishes for a sweet and happy new year on this Rosh Hashanah! President Obama has said that the High Holidays, which begin today, are days of awe — a chance to give thanks for the miracle of renewal, and an extraordinary opportunity to begin again in pursuit of justice, prosperity and peace. Shanah Tova.

In 2009, @BarackObama established this day as a National Day of Service and Remembrance by passing the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. Since then, thousands upon thousands of Americans have volunteered their talents and time to transform a moment of collective grief into an act of community good. Tell us in the comments what you’re doing to make today about service and remembrance.

Toryn Parks helped build the roof of the Obama Presidential Center buildings. "I'm a part of history now," Parks said. "As long as that building stands, we did what we were supposed to do." This Labor Day, check out her story on

Some people put their ideas out in the world and hope they catch on. Not Gloria Steinem. Through her writing, her speeches, and her organizing, she demanded that the world pay attention to all the ways that women had been — and in some cases, still are — treated unfairly. And she helped awaken us to problems like domestic violence, the lack of affordable child care, and unfair hiring practices that had too often been ignored or overlooked. Gloria really was larger than life. Today, generations of women are walking a little taller and aiming a little higher because of what she fought for and achieved. Michelle and I are thinking of her family today, and everyone — women and men — who were inspired by her towering example.

It’s hard to imagine many people having a bigger impact than Dolly Parton. Born in a one-room cabin, she earned 11 Grammys and an Emmy, built a business empire, helped millions of kids learn to read, and — as if that wasn’t enough — helped accelerate the research that led to the Moderna COVID vaccine. What a life. Michelle and I are thinking of Dolly’s family and her many, many fans.

This summer, more than 50 young men from @ChiPubSchools attended the @MBK_Alliance-Obama Leadership Academy to get ready for high school. They earned credits toward graduation, developed important life skills, and built connections. We’re so proud of their hard work, and can’t wait to see what they do.

People always ask me where the tan suit came from. I think it’s time the truth finally came out. Tune in to the series finale of Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness on @HBOMax.

When @vicblends pulls up to the Obama Presidential Center, you know it's going to be a real conversation! My Brother's Keeper Alliance participant, DaMarion, sat down in the master barber's chair at Home Court for an honest conversation about mental health, resilience, and what it really looks like to push through life's toughest moments. This is what MBK is about. Real people. Real stories. Real growth.

Still basking in the glow of Chicago’s historic @WNBA All-Star Game. Check out the moment when President @BarackObama surprised a group of young @girlsalliance girls participating in the WNBA’s Changemaker Day—a day-long experience designed to inspire and empower participants to find their own superpower.

Here are some of the songs I've been listening to this summer. It starts with a song Michelle and I love by Glen Hansard, a great musician who passed tragically this week. Our hearts go out to his family.

President @barackobama’s summer reading list is here 📚 This year, President Obama is inviting all of you to come read these picks at the Obama Presidential Center, and we invited a few book lovers to share their first reactions. What are you reading first?

In June, when we debuted the first official portrait of President and Mrs. Obama at the Obama Presidential Center Museum, the world went wild for the story of how Michelle Obama had long hoped to collaborate with renowned artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby, and how deeply the experience moved Crosby. This is a behind-the-scenes look at how this landmark piece of art was created. Now, we hope you can come see the craft, care and collaboration for yourself in the Hope and Change Lobby at the Obama Presidential Center Museum. It’s a free space, and open to the public.