In the spring, OpenAI first proposed creating an AI wealth fund that “provides every citizen—including those not invested in financial markets—with a stake in AI-driven economic growth,” FT reported. For society to benefit as much as possible, an OpenAI blog said, an “AI-led future” will likely require “new approaches that give people durable stakes in the systems creating value.”
So far, OpenAI has talked with Trump officials such as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, as well as Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), sources told FT.
Sanders has made it clear he’s not impressed with the numbers OpenAI is discussing, though. Last month, sources familiar with Sanders’ discussions with Altman told AP News that Altman remained “far apart” from the senator on how much stake in OpenAI the American public should have.
At that time, Sanders revealed his legislative proposal, which would create a much larger sovereign public wealth fund.
Sanders’ plan requires leading AI firms to pay a one-time 50 percent tax on their stock. Sanders estimated that the tax would yield about $7 trillion, which could be disbursed as direct payments to Americans or invested in programs such as health care, education, and housing.
