Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has proposed that the federal government acquire a 50% stake in artificial intelligence companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, through a newly established sovereign wealth fund intended to benefit the public. Sanders plans to introduce legislation in the coming weeks that would impose a one-time tax on these companies, to be paid in stock rather than cash.
In an op-ed published in the New York Times, Sanders argued that artificial intelligence is derived from the public's collective intelligence and should provide financial benefits to the public as the technology advances. He stated that the proposed tax would not be based on the companies' profits but rather on their stock value.
Sanders expressed concerns about the influence of major technology companies on AI development, suggesting that government ownership would allow for greater accountability and representation of public interests in corporate decision-making. He indicated that the fund could generate significant wealth, which would be used to provide direct payments to American citizens and support essential services such as healthcare, education, and housing.
He noted that leaders at OpenAI and Anthropic have previously discussed the concept of wealth funds related to AI profits. Sanders's proposal has prompted inquiries from the Washington Examiner to the mentioned companies and his office for further details. He emphasized the principle that when a public resource generates wealth, the public should benefit from it.
