President Donald Trump and progressive Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) have unexpectedly converged on a controversial proposal: government ownership stakes in leading artificial intelligence companies. During a recent press briefing aboard Air Force One, Trump suggested that the U.S. government could take direct equity in AI firms, creating a 'partnership' between the American public and the AI revolution.
Two Paths to Public Equity
The Trump-backed proposal, reportedly influenced by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, involves AI companies voluntarily donating a small equity stake—estimated between 1% and 5%—to a 'Public Wealth Fund.' This fund would distribute its proceeds directly to citizens, allowing broader participation in the economic benefits of AI-driven growth. The plan avoids taxpayer costs but would require congressional authorization under current law.
In contrast, Sanders’ American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act mandates a compulsory 50% equity transfer from AI companies to the government. This approach includes voting rights, board representation, and revenues directed toward public goods and cash payments.
'AI’s trajectory is inseparable from the public interest, and the wealth it generates cannot simply accrue to a handful of private actors,' said Hamza Chaudhry, AI and national security lead at the Future of Life Institute.
Growing Concerns Over AI Wealth
The proposals signal a shift in the politics surrounding AI wealth, fueled by public anxiety over job displacement and the potential market disruptions from trillion-dollar AI IPOs. OpenAI, currently valued at over $850 billion, is preparing for an IPO as early as September, making the timing of these proposals particularly significant. Meanwhile, Anthropic, another major AI player, was reportedly caught off guard by Trump’s announcement.
Both plans aim to address growing anti-AI sentiment and ensure that the economic benefits of AI development are shared more equitably among the American public.