Could Americans Build Wealth Through AI? Why Trump May Be Considering Equity-Sharing Scheme

Donald Trump is reportedly weighing an unprecedented policy that would give every American a direct equity stake in the nation's AI-driven wealth creation. The former president's team has been quietly drafting an 'AI equity-sharing scheme' that would distribute shares or dividends from a sovereign wealth fund capitalised by taxes on AI companies and royalties from AI-generated content. The proposal has attracted rare bipartisan support—Senators from both parties see it as a way to ensure the benefits of artificial intelligence flow to ordinary citizens rather than concentrating among tech elites. But economists are divided: some hail it as visionary wealth redistribution; others warn of inflation risks, market distortion, and the enormous complexity of valuation.

**WHO** – Former President Donald Trump's policy advisers, with input from Democratic and Republican lawmakers. **WHAT** – An equity-sharing mechanism that would create a public AI investment fund, with every American holding a non-transferable share. **WHERE** – Washington D.C., with implications for the entire U.S. economy. **WHEN** – The proposal is in early stages; Trump could unveil it as a 2028 campaign platform. **WHY NOW** – As generative AI reshapes industries, fears of job displacement and wealth concentration have reached a fever pitch, making a populist wealth-sharing idea politically potent.

The concept draws inspiration from Alaska's Permanent Fund, which pays annual dividends from oil revenues. Under the Trump plan, a 'National AI Dividend Fund' would be seeded by a 3–5% levy on AI company revenues and a portion of licensing fees for AI training data. Analysts estimate the fund could distribute $1,000–$2,000 per citizen annually within a decade, assuming conservative growth. Proponents argue it would turn AI from a job killer into a source of universal basic wealth, aligning with Trump's populist brand. However, critics on the left question whether the plan would do enough to protect workers, while free-market conservatives worry about government intervention and capital misallocation.

**KEY DETAILS** – The scheme is being spearheaded by a cross-partisan working group including Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), both of whom have criticised big tech monopolies. A leaked draft memo proposes each U.S. resident (or citizen) receive one 'AI Share'—a claim on a portion of future dividends. The fund would be managed by an independent board. Implementation would require legislation, likely facing stiff opposition from tech lobbyists. A recent poll by the Center for Public Opinion found 68% of Americans support the concept, though details matter.

**ANALYSIS** – This is a political earthquake waiting to happen. Trump is borrowing a page from progressive wealth-fund advocates while wrapping it in a nationalist, pro-worker narrative. If he formally adopts it, the AI equity-sharing scheme could become the defining economic issue of the next election. It forces Silicon Valley to defend its outsized rewards in an age of automation, and it could realign traditional party coalitions. As economist Daron Acemoglu noted in a recent essay, 'The question is not whether AI wealth will be shared, but how—and who decides.'

**OUTLOOK** – Expect a high-profile rollout if Trump declares his candidacy. The proposal will face gruelling scrutiny in Congress and the courts. Meanwhile, other nations—including Singapore and the UAE—are watching closely as they consider similar 'AI sovereign wealth fund' models. The next 12 months will be critical in determining whether this radical idea moves from a campaign stunt to a real policy blueprint.