Overview
- The Verasight national survey of about 1,690–1,700 U.S. adults, reported July 13–14, found 69% support for a one‑time 50% transfer of AI company stock to a public fund and 64% support when the proposal was explicitly tied to Senator Bernie Sanders.
- Senator Sanders’ American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act would collect a one‑time 50% stock transfer from qualifying firms, place shares into a trust run by an Independent Commission for Democratic AI, require separation of AI and non‑AI businesses, and is estimated to seed roughly $7 trillion at current valuations.
- Poll respondents also showed strong demand for AI oversight with 89% backing public disclosure of internal safety testing and 81% supporting federal authority to block unsafe systems.
- Experts and industry groups say the idea faces steep legal and market barriers because forced equity transfers could trigger takings litigation, complicate IPOs, and chill investment while some companies have proposed smaller voluntary stakes such as a 5% government share.
- Rising tech layoffs and forecasts of large worker displacement are driving public support and help explain why backers say the fund could pay dividends, finance retraining and infrastructure, and redistribute AI rents much like Alaska’s or Norway’s sovereign funds have used natural‑resource revenue.