Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang is pushing a $15,000 annual direct payment to U.S. families, arguing that rapid advances in artificial intelligence are creating economic challenges that political leaders have been slow to confront.
In an interview with Scripps News, Yang argued that the payments would repay Americans whose data has helped train AI systems. These AI models are built upon our data and our data is being sold and resold for about $300 billion a year right now, Yang said. These AI companies are about to IPO to a trillion-dollar or more valuation and we're not seeing a dime of it unless you're an insider that happened to have access to that pre-IPO stock.
Yang criticized both Republicans and Democrats heading into the midterms, saying neither party is designed to solve current problems. He founded the Forward Party, which prioritizes independent thinkers who represent the people rather than a party.
Yang did not rule out another presidential run in 2028, saying: If there are pieces in place, I'm still very, very much a patriot and want to do what I can for the country.
