Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ particular flavor of AI populism is more revered than the technology itself — and maybe a little more confident– more than many of his AI-skeptic fans probably want. Nevertheless, a new survey shows that the broad strokes of his actual proposal to deal with the economy of artificial intelligence it is very popularan amazing 69% support.
His plan, called the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, is akin to nationalizing the diet. In his own words:
“This legislation would give the public a direct ownership stake in the largest AI companies in America by paying a one-time 50% tax on the stock rather than the profits.”
Now you are the captain, the American taxpayer. You have great AI. Let’s make sure he does only good things and we all reap the rewards. Plus, even if they have spare tanks, it’s not like we paid for it.
If one poll is any indication, America is on board. June A survey conducted by research firm Verasight More than two-thirds of respondents say they support the plan, which would “require” big AI companies to transfer half of their shares to a publicly owned sovereign wealth fund.
Interestingly, they conducted polls with and without Bernie Sanders’ name in the question. there was slight overall support drops to 64% when their question is phrased as:
“Senator Bernie Sanders recently proposed a bill that would require AI companies to transfer 50% of their shares to a fund owned by the American public. Do you support or oppose this proposal?”
However, in this case, the percentage of respondents who said that they “strongly” support the plan is in fact increased with 3%.
By the way, Sanders’ proposal calls for companies to be partially run, with the public getting a share of the profits. “The federal government, through voting stock and equal representation on every company’s board, will have the power to block decisions that hurt our citizens and push for policies that help them,” he said. He wrote in the New York Times.
