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Senator Sanders Proposes Public Ownership of Major U.S. AI Companies Through New Sovereign Wealth Fund
In a move that could reshape the relationship between technology and the American public, Senator Bernie Sanders unveiled a plan to create an American AI sovereign wealth fund. The proposal, first published in a New York Times op‑ed on June 1, 2026, would force any AI firm that reaches $200 million in annual AI sales to transfer half of its equity into a federal account, turning the fund into a major shareholder in companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic and xAI.
The idea hinges on the premise that the AI sector, which has exploded over the past decade, has been built on public research and collective knowledge. Sanders argues that the economic gains generated by AI should not remain confined to executives, venture capitalists and large corporations. By channeling 50 % of the stock of qualifying firms into a sovereign wealth fund, the government would create a pool of assets that could pay dividends to ordinary Americans and redirect profits into public priorities like health care, education and housing.
The proposal draws a parallel with sovereign wealth funds used by resource‑rich nations, but it would be funded through equity transfers rather than commodity surpluses. Supporters contend that such a fund could help mitigate the widening inequality that the AI boom has produced and provide a safety net for workers displaced by automation. Critics warn that government ownership stakes could distort markets, dampen innovation and raise concerns about political influence over the technology sector.
The debate gained new momentum earlier this month when former President Donald Trump floated a similar idea: to acquire equity stakes in the largest AI companies. Trump said he would meet with executives of leading firms to explore the possibility. Both proposals share a common theme—extracting public benefit from the private wealth created by AI.
Industry analysts note that the AI market is already generating billions of dollars in revenue. For example, OpenAI conducted a $6.6 billion share sale in October 2025 that valued the company at $500 billion. Anthropic and xAI rank among the most valuable private AI firms in the United States. A 50 % ownership stake would give the sovereign wealth fund significant influence over corporate governance and could establish a steady stream of income for the American public.
The plan also raises several technical and regulatory questions that remain unanswered. How will the fund acquire and manage shares of privately held companies? What mechanisms will ensure that dividends are distributed fairly to citizens? And how will the fund’s ownership affect the companies’ ability to raise capital and invest in research? These issues will need to be addressed before any legislation can move forward.
The proposal has not yet been introduced as law. Sanders said he would soon introduce the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act in the Senate, a bill that would codify the tax mechanism and establish the fund’s governance structure.
The debate unfolds at a time when the U.S. government is re‑examining how to manage the wealth that AI could generate and how to address potential job displacement and rising inequality. The conversation reflects a broader question about the role of the state in the technology sector.
In the coming months, the Senate will consider whether to advance the bill. If passed, the sovereign wealth fund would become a major shareholder in the leading AI companies and could alter how AI‑generated wealth is distributed across the United States.
The idea hinges on the premise that the AI sector, which has exploded over the past decade, has been built on public research and collective knowledge. Sanders argues that the economic gains generated by AI should not remain confined to executives, venture capitalists and large corporations. By channeling 50 % of the stock of qualifying firms into a sovereign wealth fund, the government would create a pool of assets that could pay dividends to ordinary Americans and redirect profits into public priorities like health care, education and housing.
The proposal draws a parallel with sovereign wealth funds used by resource‑rich nations, but it would be funded through equity transfers rather than commodity surpluses. Supporters contend that such a fund could help mitigate the widening inequality that the AI boom has produced and provide a safety net for workers displaced by automation. Critics warn that government ownership stakes could distort markets, dampen innovation and raise concerns about political influence over the technology sector.
The debate gained new momentum earlier this month when former President Donald Trump floated a similar idea: to acquire equity stakes in the largest AI companies. Trump said he would meet with executives of leading firms to explore the possibility. Both proposals share a common theme—extracting public benefit from the private wealth created by AI.
Industry analysts note that the AI market is already generating billions of dollars in revenue. For example, OpenAI conducted a $6.6 billion share sale in October 2025 that valued the company at $500 billion. Anthropic and xAI rank among the most valuable private AI firms in the United States. A 50 % ownership stake would give the sovereign wealth fund significant influence over corporate governance and could establish a steady stream of income for the American public.
The plan also raises several technical and regulatory questions that remain unanswered. How will the fund acquire and manage shares of privately held companies? What mechanisms will ensure that dividends are distributed fairly to citizens? And how will the fund’s ownership affect the companies’ ability to raise capital and invest in research? These issues will need to be addressed before any legislation can move forward.
The proposal has not yet been introduced as law. Sanders said he would soon introduce the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act in the Senate, a bill that would codify the tax mechanism and establish the fund’s governance structure.
The debate unfolds at a time when the U.S. government is re‑examining how to manage the wealth that AI could generate and how to address potential job displacement and rising inequality. The conversation reflects a broader question about the role of the state in the technology sector.
In the coming months, the Senate will consider whether to advance the bill. If passed, the sovereign wealth fund would become a major shareholder in the leading AI companies and could alter how AI‑generated wealth is distributed across the United States.
