AI and Wealth: Who Gets the Loot?

What happened?

On June 10, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he expects artificial intelligence companies to 'give something back to the public,' according to Reuters. Trump said he will meet with the 12 or 15 most important executives in the sector to discuss how to distribute the wealth generated by AI, and believes they will agree because it would make the industry 'very popular.' This statement comes amid skepticism about the real profitability of AI. According to an analysis by Xataka, investment in data centers is not contributing to U.S. economic growth, and although some companies are already generating revenue, a reliable methodology to measure their output has not yet been developed. Additionally, OpenAI reported losses of $38.5 billion in 2025, nearly eight times more than the previous year, casting doubt on the sustainability of the current business model. This data reflects that, despite the investment frenzy, monetization of AI remains elusive. The situation recalls the dot-com bubble, where companies like Pets.com burned capital without generating sustainable profits. However, unlike then, the scale of investment is much larger: according to PitchBook data, more than $150 billion was invested in AI startups globally in 2025, a record figure.

Why is it important?

The question of who gets the wealth from AI is crucial because it determines whether this technology will widen inequality or become an engine of shared prosperity. Historically, technological revolutions like the industrial or digital ones have concentrated value in the hands of a few, and AI seems to follow the same pattern. However, Trump's political intervention, unusual for a traditionally pro-business Republican president, indicates that the issue has escalated to public debate. Moreover, the lack of correlation between investment and economic growth suggests we may be facing a speculative bubble. According to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, U.S. GDP grew only 1.8% in 2025, while AI investment increased by 40%. This contrasts with the internet boom of the 1990s, where ICT investment did correlate with productivity gains. If AI fails to generate tangible returns, the collapse could be devastating for investors and the global economy. A McKinsey report estimates that AI could contribute up to $13 trillion to global GDP by 2030, but these projections are uncertain and depend on widespread adoption that has not yet occurred.

Consequences and outlook

If companies agree to share part of their profits, mechanisms such as universal dividends, reinvestment in public infrastructure, or job retraining programs could be implemented. However, resistance is likely strong, as companies prioritize profitability for their shareholders. On the other hand, if the bubble bursts, we could see a wave of bankruptcies and mass layoffs, similar to the dot-com collapse. At that time, the NASDAQ index fell 78% from its peak in 2000 to 2002, and companies like WorldCom and Enron went bankrupt. Today, giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, and other AI startups are burning cash at an alarming rate. According to Crunchbase, in 2025 AI startups consumed $80 billion in cash, while combined revenues barely reached $20 billion. For readers, it is key to understand that AI is still in an experimental phase and that promises of wealth should be taken with caution. Uncertainty is high, and both investors and workers must prepare for diverse scenarios. A possible consequence is that governments intervene to regulate the distribution of benefits, as already seen in the European Union with the AI Act. In the U.S., Trump's stance could be a first step toward a policy of technological redistribution, although his pro-business track record suggests any measure will be moderate. Ultimately, the future of AI wealth will depend on whether the technology can overcome its experimental phase and generate real value for the economy.