Meta Platforms executive Joel Kaplan downplayed President Trump's proposal for public ownership in AI firms, emphasizing the company's focus on investing in AI technologies and infrastructure to benefit communities.
The differing approaches highlight a debate over how the immense wealth generated by artificial intelligence should be shared and governed, with implications for future economic policy and corporate responsibility.
President Donald Trump recently proposed distributing ownership stakes in major artificial intelligence companies to the American public, suggesting the government could become a partner in these firms. Leading U.S. AI companies include Meta, OpenAI, and Anthropic. Trump indicated plans to convene top AI executives to discuss this proposal, though tech industry representatives informed POLITICO that the White House had not yet extended invitations for such a meeting.
This proposal is one of several being considered in Washington aimed at ensuring the public shares in the anticipated wealth generated by AI. Separately, Senator Bernie Sanders proposed creating a sovereign wealth fund through a 50% tax on the stock of top AI companies, which would also grant the federal government a voting stake in corporate decisions. This concept has garnered support from key OpenAI executives, including CEO Sam Altman and Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane.
In contrast, Meta's Joel Kaplan suggested that the company's focus is on investing in AI-enabled technologies and infrastructure, rather than on mechanisms to distribute AI-generated wealth to the public. Kaplan emphasized that Meta is concentrating on raising capital, investing it wisely, and ensuring that investments in infrastructure and data centers benefit local communities. He stated the company's priority is on how funds are spent to build a future accessible to everyone.
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