Majority of Americans Back Public Ownership of AI Firms
A recent survey of 1,690 US adults found 69% support forcing AI companies to transfer 50% of their stock to a public sovereign wealth fund, a policy proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders. The shift in opinion comes as the tech industry faces criticism for layoffs and rising AI investments.
Key points
- Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, which would give the public a 50% stake in the largest US AI firms.
- A Verasight survey of 1,690 US adults found 69% support for the policy, with 31% opposed.
- The proposed fund would be worth around $7 trillion, with the public owning half of the stock in major AI companies.
- The shift in opinion comes as the tech industry faces criticism for layoffs and rising AI investments, with tech making up nearly a third of US layoffs in H1 2026.
- Supporters argue that the public sovereign wealth fund would route the gains of the AI industry back to society, while critics raise concerns about property rights and investment chill.
A recent survey of 1,690 US adults has found a significant shift in opinion on the ownership of AI companies. The Verasight survey found that 69% of respondents support forcing AI companies to transfer 50% of their stock to a public sovereign wealth fund.
This policy is at the heart of Senator Bernie Sanders' American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, which was introduced in June. The proposed fund would be worth around $7 trillion, with the public owning half of the stock in major AI companies.
The shift in opinion comes as the tech industry faces criticism for layoffs and rising AI investments. Tech made up nearly a third of US layoffs in H1 2026, and the same firms raised AI capex. Supporters of the policy argue that the public sovereign wealth fund would route the gains of the AI industry back to society.
However, critics raise concerns about property rights and investment chill. They argue that the policy would undermine the rights of private investors and chill investment in the industry. The survey also highlights the potential for disputed displacement forecasts and survey-wording effects.
The Verasight survey is not the only indication of growing support for public ownership of AI companies. A similar proposal is being considered in the EU, where there is a growing debate about the role of public ownership in the tech industry.
Sources
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