Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is proposing a model for public ownership or equity in artificial intelligence companies to benefit all Americans [1].
The proposal seeks to prevent AI-generated wealth from concentrating among a small group of billionaires and corporations. By establishing a public stake in the technology, Sanders said he aims to ensure the economic gains of AI are broadly shared across the population [1, 2].
One mechanism suggested for this transition is the creation of a sovereign wealth fund system [1]. Another option involves a one-time 50% tax on AI company profits to fund public ownership [4]. These measures are intended to redistribute the financial windfalls created by the rapid advancement of AI tools [2, 4].
Reports indicate that the White House under President Donald Trump appears open to the idea [2]. While the two political figures often disagree on policy, the goal of spreading AI wealth across the U.S. population represents a rare point of potential alignment [2].
Sanders drew a historical parallel to the 1930s [1]. During that era, the electrification of the grid transformed the nation's economy and infrastructure [1]. He said that the current AI revolution could cause similar displacement if the wealth is not managed for the public good [1, 2].
The proposal targets the broader AI sector, including major firms and leaders like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman [1, 3]. The initiative focuses on national scope, treating AI as a critical resource similar to energy, or water [1, 3].
“Bernie Sanders is urging a public-ownership model for AI companies.”
This proposal represents a shift toward treating artificial intelligence as a public utility rather than a purely private commercial asset. If the Trump administration and Sen. Sanders find common ground, it could lead to a significant restructuring of how the U.S. taxes technology profits and manages national wealth, potentially creating a precedent for state-led equity in emerging technologies.
