NEW YORK, New York — Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang is reviving his signature direct-payment proposal as artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes the economy, this time calling for families to receive $15,000 annually.
Yang told Scripps News that Americans should be compensated because their personal data helped create the enormously valuable AI systems now being developed by companies such as OpenAI, Google and Meta.
“These AI models are built upon our data,” Yang said, arguing that technology companies are capturing enormous value while ordinary Americans receive little direct benefit.
The proposal echoes Yang’s 2020 presidential campaign, when he promoted a “Freedom Dividend” of $1,000 per month for every American adult as protection against automation-driven job losses. His warnings that technology would displace large numbers of workers were considered unconventional at the time but have gained renewed attention as companies increasingly use AI to reduce staffing and automate white-collar work.
Yang also criticized both major political parties, saying elected officials have been too slow to address AI’s economic consequences and remain focused on partisan conflict rather than emerging problems.
His $15,000 proposal raises significant unanswered questions, including whether payments would go to individuals or households, how they would be financed and whether they would replace or supplement existing benefits. The Scripps interview did not detail a full funding mechanism.
Yang, who founded the Forward Party after leaving the Democratic Party, also declined to rule out another presidential campaign in 2028, saying he remains interested in helping the country if circumstances align.
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