Vinod Khosla envisions a radical transformation of society, where the prosperity generated by AI is distributed more broadly. During his appearance at the TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 conference on Tuesday, the founder of Khosla Ventures proposed that the U.S. government could own 10% of all publicly traded companies, using those assets to benefit the general population.
Khosla explained that his idea was inspired by President Donald Trump’s move to have the U.S. government acquire a 10% share in Intel. “When Trump acquired 10% of Intel, it made me think—maybe that’s not such a bad concept,” Khosla remarked on the Disrupt stage. “Imagine allocating 10% of every corporation into a national fund for everyone. That’s a fascinating approach. Just take 10% from each public company.”
Universal basic income has been a topic of interest among AI leaders before, with OpenResearch’s comprehensive study on direct cash transfers—partially funded by Sam Altman—being a notable example. However, it’s uncommon for a high-profile investor to so openly advocate for government ownership in private enterprise. Khosla admitted the idea would be divisive but argued that bold measures are essential to maintain social stability as artificial general intelligence transforms society.
“I know this idea will attract criticism,” Khosla acknowledged. “But distributing AI-driven wealth is absolutely crucial to ensure everyone benefits equally... We might not need such measures in 15 years, but for now, we must support those affected. By 2035, our economy will be massively deflationary.”
Khosla further warned that AI’s advancement will inevitably lead to job displacement, demanding significant societal adaptation. He suggested this shift creates opportunities for entrepreneurs, highlighting that there’s potential for startups to develop AI solutions across all fields—whether it’s accounting, healthcare, semiconductor design, auditing, marketing, entertainment, and beyond.
He also predicted that the very nature of employment will evolve in the AI age, as many current jobs may disappear. Khosla cited tasks like installing tires on a production line or working as a farmer as examples of roles that, in his view, humans shouldn’t have to do.
“That’s just working to survive,” Khosla commented.
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