Multiple outlets report that U.S. politicians and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman are discussing proposals for the public to hold equity in AI companies. The discussions involve Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has announced a plan calling for the public to take a 50% ownership stake in AI firms. OpenAI’s Altman told Sanders he supports the broader goal of giving the public equity in AI, though he does not endorse the specific 50% threshold. According to people familiar with the conversation, Altman and Sanders discussed ways they could work together to advance the idea.
Reports also state that Altman met with Sanders in Sanders’ Senate office for nearly an hour this week at Altman’s request. In parallel, President Donald Trump has described a potential partnership framed around letting “the American people” benefit from AI success and said executives from major AI companies would visit the White House to discuss the concept. One account adds that Altman has met with congressional leaders from both political parties, underscoring that the topic is drawing cross-party attention.
