Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, Sam Altman Discuss Public Ownership in AI

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman held a private meeting with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to discuss the concept of public ownership in artificial intelligence companies. This discussion followed Sanders' proposal for the public to hold a 50% stake in AI companies, creating a wealth fund from their stock. While Altman expressed support for the general idea of public equity, he did not commit to Sanders' 50% threshold.

The debate over AI's societal impact and public benefit has found unusual allies, with President Donald Trump also expressing interest in creating a partnership where the American public can benefit from AI's success. Trump announced that leading AI executives would visit the White House to discuss this idea, noting similarities between his and Sanders' economic voter bases.

The article also highlights the growing tension between AI development and local concerns, particularly regarding data centers. In Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer's appearance with Altman at the building site of a 1.65 million-square-foot data center drew criticism from local activists and Democrats, including Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, due to worries about electricity, water consumption, and environmental impacts. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican, has called for legislation to halt further data center development until developers commit to funding their own electricity grids and water supplies.

These discussions occur as Congress considers a bipartisan framework for federal AI regulation, and the Trump administration has already moved to establish an executive order for reviewing national security risks posed by advanced AI systems. Despite disagreements on specific regulatory approaches, leaders across the political spectrum increasingly acknowledge the inevitability of AI's expansion and the need to manage its consequences.