Public Wealth Fund

Sam Altman of OpenAI proposed ceding equity to the Trump administration, combining elements of the Alaska Permanent Fund and Trump Accounts. The idea, outlined as a 'Public Wealth Fund' providing returns to citizens, has bipartisan support, including endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders. President Trump indicated he may discuss the proposal with major AI firms soon.

President Trump proposed the U.S. take a small ownership stake in AI companies to allow the public to benefit from their growth. The idea has been previously advocated by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Sen. Bernie Sanders, who suggested a 50% tax paid in stock for public ownership. Trump emphasized that such a move could improve public perception of AI and ensure U.S. leadership in the field.

President Donald Trump plans to meet with AI companies at the White House next week to discuss a federal government partnership aimed at allowing Americans to profit from AI success. The proposal, which includes potential company dividends for the public, has been previously discussed by OpenAI, Anthropic, and Elon Musk’s xAI, while Sen. Bernie Sanders proposed a 50% government ownership bill in AI companies.

Sen. Bernie Sanders proposed a 50% public ownership stake in AI companies like OpenAI to fund a public wealth fund, while CEO Sam Altman expressed support for public equity but not the 50% threshold. President Donald Trump also endorsed a partnership model for public AI benefits, highlighting unusual political alignment between Sanders and Trump. Both figures are pushing for public stakes in AI growth amid rising public concerns.

Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO, outlines a comprehensive blueprint for AI governance, emphasizing urgent regulatory and tax reforms to address risks like cyberattacks and biological threats. The proposal includes a Public Wealth Fund, robot taxes, and AI access rights, comparing the need for action to historical social contracts like the New Deal.