Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) unveiled legislation on Thursday to create a national AI sovereign wealth fund for the American public [1].
The proposal aims to redistribute the immense wealth generated by the artificial intelligence industry to ordinary citizens. By establishing public ownership of AI technology, the plan seeks to prevent a small number of corporations from controlling the economic benefits of the sector [3, 4].
Under the proposed bill, the U.S. government would acquire a 50% ownership stake in major AI companies [1, 2]. The method for securing this stake varies across reports; one source indicates it would be achieved through a one-time 50% tax on company stock [2], while another suggests the ownership would be granted if the companies become profitable [4].
The fund would use the proceeds from these stakes to provide direct financial benefits to the population. Sanders said the fund could pay each American approximately $1,000 per year [4].
This initiative is designed to return power and wealth from the rapidly growing AI industry to the general public [3, 4]. The senator intends for the legislation to ensure that the advancements in AI benefit the many rather than the few, a move that would mark a significant shift in how the U.S. regulates emerging technology and corporate wealth.
Sanders said the goal is to make AI work for ordinary people [4]. The plan targets the largest firms in the industry to fund the national dividend [1, 2].
“The plan seeks a 50% public ownership stake in major AI firms.”
This proposal represents a pivot toward a 'social dividend' model, similar to sovereign wealth funds used in countries like Norway to manage natural resource wealth. By treating AI as a public utility or common asset, the legislation attempts to mitigate the potential for AI-driven job displacement through a direct wealth-sharing mechanism.
