OpenAI told U.S. officials it would be willing to grant the federal government a five‑percent ownership share in the company, a figure the firm says would give Americans a tangible say in the direction of artificial‑intelligence development. The proposal, first raised in the spring, has been discussed with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and other members of the Trump administration, according to the Financial Times.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I‑VT) has repeatedly signaled that the offer falls dramatically short of what he believes is necessary to protect the public interest. Sanders’ own legislation would impose a one‑time 50 percent tax on the stock of leading AI firms, a levy he estimates could generate roughly $7 trillion. The proceeds, he says, could be distributed directly to citizens or invested in health care, education and housing.
In conversations with OpenAI’s chief executive Sam Altman, Sanders’ aides have expressed a “far apart” stance on the size of the public stake. The senator’s plan hinges on creating a bipartisan Independent Commission for Democratic AI, staffed by presidential nominees confirmed by the Senate. That commission would hold voting shares capable of blocking corporate actions that could threaten public welfare.
OpenAI argues that a five‑percent stake would give the United States enough leverage to influence the company’s policies without stifling innovation. The firm’s blog frames the proposal as part of an “AI‑led future” that demands new mechanisms for broad‑based participation in the value created by AI systems.
Implementing the stake would likely require congressional action to set up the legal framework for a sovereign public ownership model. Lawmakers would need to decide how voting rights are allocated, how dividends are handled and what oversight structures are appropriate.
Sanders has warned that without a larger, more permanent public ownership model, AI could exacerbate existing inequalities and expose ordinary people to risks ranging from job displacement to privacy breaches. He insists that a substantial public seat at the table is essential to prevent “terrible things” from happening to ordinary citizens.
The debate underscores a broader clash over how to balance rapid AI advancement with democratic accountability. While the Trump administration appears open to a modest equity share, progressive lawmakers push for a far more aggressive fiscal and governance approach. The outcome will shape how the United States captures the economic upside of AI while guarding against its potential harms.
Dieser Artikel wurde mit Unterstützung von KI verfasst.
News Factory APP - agentische News für besseres SEO & AEO.