Elon Musk plans to give SpaceX shares to every American child, while AI firm Anthropic will allocate 5% of its shares to a fund supporting the public good amid growing concerns over artificial intelligence, reports London Daily News Desk.
Elon Musk and artificial intelligence company Anthropic have announced major share giveaways as the technology industry faces mounting scrutiny over AI safety, its impact on employment and the risks it could pose to humanity.
Musk said on Monday that he would give one SpaceX share to every child in the United States next year. SpaceX, the billionaire’s rocket company, also owns AI firm xAI. However, details about how the shares would be distributed to eligible children have not yet been disclosed.
In a post on social media, Musk said the initiative would be “the first of many”. His announcement followed Anthropic’s decision to allocate 5% of its shares to a Public Benefit Fund, which will support initiatives serving the public interest.
Musk had earlier responded to Anthropic’s pledge by recommending that shares be distributed directly to the public, saying that was what he intended to do.
Anthropic, the developer of the Claude chatbot, said the fund would not use its shareholding for lobbying or political donations in the United States or abroad. The company added that its board could decide to allocate a further 2% of its shares to the fund.
The announcement comes as Anthropic prepares for a potential stock market listing that could value the company at more than $1 trillion. Meanwhile, SpaceX reportedly raised $85.7 billion in June, setting a record for the largest initial public offering in history.
Anthropic has also reported strong financial growth. Last week, it told prospective investors that revenue had surged 45% to $16.8 billion in the three months ending September.
Despite the industry’s growth, concerns are intensifying over the social and economic consequences of AI. Technology companies have cut thousands of jobs following investments in automation, often citing efficiency gains. A 2024 International Monetary Fund study estimated that nearly 40% of jobs worldwide could be affected by AI, rising to 60% in advanced economies.
Safety concerns have also emerged from within the industry. Former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon warned that the rapid pace of AI development could pose serious risks to humanity. Industry leaders, including Musk and OpenAI chief Sam Altman, have expressed support for proposals to slow development and strengthen regulation.
The pledges come amid a wider debate over how governments and technology companies should ensure AI advances safely while delivering benefits to society.
