Bernie Sanders Proposes AI Sovereign Wealth Fund

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) will introduce the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, which levies a one-time 50 % tax on the stock of OpenAI, Anthropic and xAI. Half of each firm’s shares would move to a government-run sovereign wealth fund, giving the public a direct ownership stake and equal board seats. Fund earnings would fund cash payments and bolster health care, housing and education, following Norway and Alaska models.

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Sanders says AI rests on “our collective experience” yet its profits risk concentrating among a few executives. His office estimates AI could wipe out nearly 100 million U.S. jobs in a decade. Companies such as Amazon, Walmart, UnitedHealth Group and JPMorgan Chase report tens of billions in profits and CEO pay of $25-$35 million while telling investors AI will “slash payrolls.” The plan echoes AI-tax proposals from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Greg Casar and a Trump-issued executive order on a U.S. sovereign-wealth fund.

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• Senator Bernie Sanders (bill sponsor)

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• AI firms OpenAI, Anthropic, xAI

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• Progressive allies Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Greg Casar

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• Corporations Amazon, Walmart, UnitedHealth Group, JPMorgan Chase

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In a New York Times op-ed, Sanders said the fund would guarantee that the public shares in wealth generated from AI and would give workers, teachers and scientists a voice in the technology’s direction. Warren, writing in TIME, argued that taxing AI is necessary to ensure its benefits reach all Americans rather than only the wealthy. Sanders indicated that the forthcoming legislation will outline spending priorities and implementation mechanics.

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Corporate leaders claim AI-driven efficiency will boost profits, noting AI will “allow them to slash payrolls.” Critics warn that giving the government a large stake in firms whose AI is only part of broader businesses raises feasibility and market-impact concerns.

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The 100 million-job loss figure lacks corroborating studies, and the bill does not detail how the 50 % stock tax would be calculated, transferred or managed.

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• “ "But the principle is simple: When a public resource generates wealth, the public should share in that wealth.” — Bernie Sanders, Senator

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• “The future of AI and the fate of humanity must not be decided behind closed doors in Silicon Valley.” — Bernie Sanders, Senator

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• “Taxing AI is one way we make sure the winnings from AI benefit all Americans, rather than channeling them only to the wealthy few,” — Elizabeth Warren, Senator

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• “Amazon, Walmart, UnitedHealth Group, JPMorgan Chase, and other companies are openly telling investors that AI will allow them to slash payrolls—even as they post tens of billions in profits and reward CEOs with pay packages of $25 million, $35 million or more," the report said.” — Report cited by Sanders’ office

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Sanders aims to unveil the bill in the coming weeks. Warren and Casar’s parallel proposals indicate a broader push for AI taxes to fund universal health care and job-transition programs.

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