What does Bernie Sanders propose regarding AI ownership? The Vermont senator has introduced legislation aimed at making the American public co-owners of the artificial intelligence industry. This initiative, known as the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, proposes a one-time 50% tax on the equity of prominent AI companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI. Rather than simply taxing profits, Sanders is advocating for a tax on ownership. This means that even if an AI company does not generate profit, it must contribute half of its equity into a government-managed fund which is intended to benefit ordinary Americans.
This fund would resemble sovereign wealth funds in countries like Norway, where natural resource revenues are pooled for the collective good of citizens. Sanders articulates this proposal not only as a means to redistribute wealth but as a response to growing economic disparities that favor a small circle of tech billionaires.
How does this fit into Sanders' broader strategy regarding AI? This legislation is part of a broader effort by Sanders against the AI sector. Earlier in the year, he advocated for a moratorium on the construction of AI data centers in collaboration with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. This move aims to pause the expansion of facilities while regulators assess the environmental and energy impacts that arise from AI technologies. In a separate initiative, he has also proposed a 5% annual wealth tax on billionaires, potentially raising $4.4 trillion over the next decade. Moreover, the senator has considered implementing a robot tax on companies that substitute human jobs with automation.
As the discourse around AI continues to evolve, Sanders' proposals aim to address ownership, environmental concerns, and social equity as essential discussions in the expanding landscape of technology.