President Donald Trump has announced plans to explore the federal government acquiring shares in artificial intelligence companies, framing it as a partnership with the American public. He intends to meet with executives from leading AI firms, including Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, to discuss the potential for the government to own equity stakes in these companies. Trump suggested that such arrangements could allow the public to benefit from the success of AI, possibly through dividend payments. The discussions reportedly involve voluntary share transfers from companies to the government, although the legal framework for this is unclear. This initiative marks a significant shift from traditional Republican views on government involvement in private enterprise, as seen in Trump's previous acquisitions of stakes in companies like Intel and U.S. Steel. Additionally, Senator Bernie Sanders has proposed legislation for a more extensive government ownership model, which Trump acknowledged as similar to his ideas. This move comes amid growing concerns about the implications of AI on the labor market and society.