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With Trump mulling stakes in big AI firms, will the tech become a public utility?

Questions remain about the ways a government shareholder may exert its influence in the sector

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    • OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was part of talks between senior US officials and major AI firms about the American government possibly buying shares in the businesses.
    • OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was part of talks between senior US officials and major AI firms about the American government possibly buying shares in the businesses. PHOTO: REUTERS

    Mike Dolan

    Published Wed, Jun 10, 2026 · 07:00 AM

    [LONDON] Left-leaning US Senator Bernie Sanders and Republican President Donald Trump have found a surprising common ground: The US government should take stakes in artificial intelligence companies, so that the public could share in the rewards.

    Investors are getting giddy about upcoming public share sales by the AI boom’s leading names OpenAI and Anthropic.

    However, more than a little anxiety exists about the ways the government is coping with potentially seismic changes to the economy and society from the rapid automation of both white-collar and blue-collar jobs.

    Artificial IntelligenceDonald TrumpOpenAI

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