Vinod Khosla: US Government Could Take Stake in Public Companies for AGI

Vinod Khosla's Vision for AI-Driven Wealth Redistribution

Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures, has proposed a transformative approach to managing the societal impact of AI technology. He outlined this vision during his appearance at the TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 conference on Tuesday.

Government Stake in Corporations

Khosla suggested the U.S. government should acquire a 10% ownership stake in all publicly traded companies. This collected wealth would then be redistributed directly to the citizenry.

The idea, according to Khosla, was inspired by the U.S. government’s earlier decision to purchase a 10% share in Intel under President Donald Trump. He questioned whether this action held merit, stating, “Taking a 10% stake in every corporation and depositing it into a national fund for the benefit of the people is a compelling concept.”

Universal Basic Income and National Stake

While universal basic income has been previously explored by leaders in the AI field – notably through OpenResearch’s research supported by Sam Altman – Khosla’s explicit endorsement of a national stake in private industry is relatively uncommon among prominent investors.

Khosla anticipates criticism for his proposal but believes such bold measures are essential for maintaining social stability amidst the disruptive forces of artificial general intelligence.

Addressing Economic Shifts

“I anticipate facing critique for this idea,” Khosla acknowledged. “However, the equitable distribution of AI-generated wealth is a critical necessity to ensure benefits are accessible to all.” He predicts a significantly deflationary economy by 2035.

He further emphasized that the advancement of AI will inevitably lead to job displacement, necessitating substantial societal adjustments.

Opportunities for Startups

For startup founders, this presents a unique opportunity for innovation and development. Khosla noted the emergence of startups focused on applying AI to various professions, including accounting, medicine, chip design, auditing, marketing, and entertainment.

The Evolving Nature of Work

Khosla believes the very definition of work will undergo a transformation in the age of AI. He suggests that many current jobs, such as assembly line work or farming, are unsuitable for humans.

“Such tasks represent a form of servitude focused solely on survival,” Khosla stated.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

Tickets for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 are still available, and a 50% discount is currently being offered for the remaining two days of the event.