What is Sanders' alternative to OpenAI's 5 percent stake proposal?

Sanders has proposed requiring leading AI firms to pay a one-time 50 percent tax on their stock, which he estimated would yield about $7 trillion（約1100兆円）. This could be disbursed as direct payments to Americans or invested in programs such as health care, education, and housing.

How would Sanders ensure the public benefits from AI under his plan?

Sanders proposes creating a bipartisan Independent Commission for Democratic AI, with members nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. That commission could use voting shares to block leading AI firms from making decisions that could harm the public.

Back to articles

OpenAI offers US 5% stake as Sanders pushes for larger public wealth fund

Ars Technica AI2d ago3 min read

Key takeaway

OpenAI has offered to give the US a 5 percent stake in the company, framing it as a way to give Americans control over AI development. Senator Bernie Sanders has rejected this as inadequate, countering with a proposal for a much larger sovereign wealth fund financed by a 50 percent one-time tax on AI firms' stock. The dispute signals an ongoing negotiation over how public benefit from AI should be structured as the technology advances.

Summaries like this, in your inbox every morning.

3 Key Points

What happened
OpenAI has proposed giving a 5 percent stake to the United States, claiming this would give Americans more control over AI. The company has been in discussions with Trump officials including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, as well as Senator Bernie Sanders.
Why it matters
Sanders rejected the 5 percent offer as too small. He has instead proposed a legislative plan requiring leading AI firms to pay a one-time 50 percent tax on their stock, estimated to yield about $7 trillion（約1100兆円）, which could be distributed as direct payments to Americans or invested in health care, education, and housing. The disagreement reflects deep uncertainty over how—and how much—the public should benefit from AI's economic growth.
What to watch
For OpenAI's proposal to work, Congress may have to get involved to implement mechanisms allowing the US to take a stake in AI firms. Sanders has proposed an alternative: a bipartisan Independent Commission for Democratic AI that could use voting shares to block leading AI firms from making harmful decisions.

FAQ

What is Sanders' alternative to OpenAI's 5 percent stake proposal?: Sanders has proposed requiring leading AI firms to pay a one-time 50 percent tax on their stock, which he estimated would yield about $7 trillion（約1100兆円）. This could be disbursed as direct payments to Americans or invested in programs such as health care, education, and housing.
How would Sanders ensure the public benefits from AI under his plan?: Sanders proposes creating a bipartisan Independent Commission for Democratic AI, with members nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. That commission could use voting shares to block leading AI firms from making decisions that could harm the public.

Discussion

No discussion yet for this article

Stay ahead with AI news

Get curated AI news from 200+ sources delivered daily to your inbox. Free to use.

Get Started Free

Free · takes 30 seconds · unsubscribe anytime

1 minute a day. The AI essentials.

200+ sources · Email / LINE / Slack

Get it free →