Senator Bernie Sanders introduced legislation for a government sovereign wealth fund that would give Americans 50% ownership in major AI companies and pay $1,000 yearly checks from expected dividends.

What happened: Sanders introduced the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act on Thursday, proposing that AI companies with more than $200 million（約320億円） in annual sales be subject to 50% government ownership. A seven-person independent commission would represent the public's interest in these companies. Sanders estimates the fund would be worth $7 trillion（約1100兆円） at current valuations and plans to pay out yearly $1,000 checks to every American from the expected 5% dividend.

Why it matters: AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic currently operate without profitable financials, and many valuable AI firms are not answerable to the public despite building on human-generated data—tweets, emails, articles—that millions of people create daily. Sanders argues Americans should directly benefit from AI's financial gains rather than seeing wealth concentrate among billionaires. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met with Sanders and agreed the public should have equity in AI companies, though he said he could not support a 50% stake.

What to watch: The bill faces a steep climb to passage, as it has no official co-sponsors and Sanders has not spoken to the White House. However, the underlying principle—that the government should take a direct equity stake in AI companies—has support beyond Sanders; President Trump has made a similar proposal, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also supports a sovereign wealth fund approach.