Owning the Future of Artificial Intelligence

Bernie Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, shares his perspective on the transformative nature of artificial intelligence (AI). He suggests that AI will bring significant changes to various aspects of life including the economy, democracy, emotional well-being, environment, and education. The potential for AI to operate independently poses risks, raising concerns about control and consequences.

The critical question is: Who will own and control AI’s future? Will AI improve lives, eradicate poverty, extend life, and address climate change? Or will a few wealthy individuals who develop AI without democratic oversight become richer and exert more influence?

AI is not created in isolation, Sanders emphasizes. It draws from the collective works of humanity, including books, music, art, journalism, and more. Even Sam Altman, OpenAI’s head, acknowledges AI models are trained on human knowledge and experiences.

Sanders argues tech corporations have appropriated this collective work without permission or compensation. He contends that it’s time to reclaim this wealth for humanity. He proposes that the benefits of AI should extend beyond a few billionaires, venture capitalists, and financiers.

To tackle this, Sanders plans to introduce the American A.I. Sovereign Wealth Fund Act. This bill aims to provide the public with a stake in leading AI companies. This would involve creating a fund through a one-time 50% tax on stocks of companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI, rather than their profits.