Sanders floats public AI stake to fund $1,000 yearly payout

Sen. Bernie Sanders proposed a bill to create a sovereign wealth fund funded by a one-time 50% stock tax on major AI firms, overseen by a seven-person independent commission. The fund would pay a 5% dividend that could fund a $1,000 annual payout to every American, potentially including OpenAI/Anthropic and other large AI players if they meet size thresholds. The plan faces long odds in Congress, though Trump has floated a similar idea and public concern over AI governance is rising.