Bridgewater proposes AI usage tax to fund public equity

Bridgewater Associates, the Connecticut-based hedge fund founded by Ray Dalio, is proposing a new economic model to Washington policymakers to ensure the benefits of artificial intelligence are distributed to the public. The firm’s executives, including CEO Nir Bar Dea and CIO Greg Jensen, have advocated for a “citizen equity” plan to mitigate societal disruption and economic inequality caused by AI.

The centerpiece of the proposal is a “token tax” on AI usage. Bridgewater estimates that a 35% tax could generate approximately $600 billion by 2030. Rather than following the universal basic income (UBI) models favored by figures like Sam Altman and Elon Musk, Bridgewater suggests using the tax revenue to purchase shares in leading AI companies and distributing that equity directly to citizens.

Greg Jensen argued that this approach provides more direct economic power to individuals and reduces the ability of politicians to control the timing and amount of benefits through government-managed payments. The firm has held informal discussions with lawmakers from both parties regarding these measures to address labor market disruption and the concentration of economic power.