69% of Americans Back 50% AI Stock Transfer to Public Fund Amid Layoff Fears

2 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jul 12

A June Verasight poll of 1,690 U.S. adults found 69% support forcing AI firms to transfer 50% of their stock to a public sovereign wealth fund.
Layoff anxiety is driving that support as tech companies keep cutting jobs while raising AI spending and posting stronger profits, fueling demands to spread AI gains more broadly.
Bernie Sanders proposed the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act in June, which would give the public a 50% stake in the largest U.S. AI companies.
Goldman Sachs estimates more than 9% of the labor force—about 15 million workers—could be displaced over a 10-year AI transition, though it expects new jobs to emerge over time.
Sovereign wealth funds could finance AI infrastructure and capture returns for citizens, but they also face trade-offs between maximizing investment returns and advancing domestic AI strategy.

Sources

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CNBC4h ago

U.S. Employees Support 50% AI Firm Stock Transfer to Public Sovereign Wealth Fund Amid Layoffs

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Majority of US workers support an AI wealth fund as tech layoffs surge, survey finds

Beyond a massive public fund, what alternative models could ensure AI's vast wealth benefits all of society?

Could a 50% public stake in AI firms drive America's top tech innovators to relocate overseas?

As nations build AI sovereign funds, will this trend spark a new form of global economic competition?

Democratizing AI Wealth: The Push for a 50% Public Stake in Leading AI Firms

Overview

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming every aspect of society, raising concerns about job loss and growing inequality. In response, Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, a bold proposal for federal oversight and public participation in the AI industry. The Act aims to address fears that AI could displace workers while concentrating wealth among a few billionaires by having the government take a direct equity stake in major AI companies. This approach reflects a growing movement to ensure that the economic benefits of AI are shared broadly, rather than controlled by a small group of powerful interests.

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