Trump's Unexpected Order: All US Citizens Could Become Wealthy
US President Donald Trump has made an unexpected comment. In a statement on Wednesday (10/6) local time, Trump said that the technology giants developing artificial intelligence (AI) systems should agree to ‘give back’ to the public.
Previously, Trump has been known as a figure with close ties to the tech industry, even going to great lengths to defend their interests. Trump has even threatened states that create their own regulations regarding AI, as he believes such moves could hinder innovation.
The growing public opposition to the construction of AI data centre infrastructure, which is seen as polluting the environment, has also gone largely unaddressed by Trump. Furthermore, the ongoing phenomenon of mass layoffs and the difficulty of finding employment in the AI era have seemingly been overlooked by the President.
For context, the tech industry provided significant support during Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, including substantial funding for his government programmes. This is believed to be one of the reasons why Trump frequently defends the tech industry.
Trump also previously delayed an executive order aimed at regulating AI. When released last week, the AI policy was also assessed as being ‘soft’ towards the tech industry.
Therefore, Trump’s statement regarding the importance of AI companies, which are reaping massive profits, ‘giving back’ to the public is considered quite surprising.
“I will soon hold a meeting with 12 or 15 bosses [of the tech industry], and we are discussing giving something back to the public, and if we do that, the public will become very wealthy,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
“I think they will do it,” Trump added.
It remains unclear what form this ‘giving back’ to the public will take. However, his claim that “the public will become very wealthy” indicates significant incentives, ensuring that the wealth generated by AI is not enjoyed by only a few.
Concerns are increasing among US citizens regarding the negative impacts of AI on their lives. Half of US citizens fear that the rise of AI could lead to them or someone in their household losing their jobs, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed this week.
AI companies Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
A White House official declined to comment on who would participate in the meeting described by Trump in the Oval Office.
OpenAI is targeting a valuation of up to US$1 trillion, as previously reported by Reuters. An agreement to provide equity shares to the US government could have a major impact on US government finances.
Last April, OpenAI openly proposed the creation of a “public wealth fund” to invest in AI companies, according to a company statement.
The proceeds from such a fund would be “distributed directly to citizens,” according to the company.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a Trump critic who ran for president as a Democrat in 2016 and 2020, has expressed support for the idea. Trump stated last week that his team would investigate the matter further.