AI Daily Briefing — 2026-06-07

President Donald Trump indicated on Friday that his administration has been in discussions with artificial intelligence companies about arrangements that would allow the American public to benefit from AI's growth. While Trump did not name specific firms, reports suggest OpenAI is a primary candidate. CNBC revealed that the administration has been negotiating an equity stake in the company, with some shares potentially funding a proposed "Public Wealth Fund" that would distribute AI-driven profits directly to citizens.

According to Bloomberg, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he has discussed "concepts where pieces could be given to the American public," making the public a partner with AI companies. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has reportedly floated the idea of government stakes in major AI firms since early 2025. This aligns with Trump's previous move to take a 10% government stake in struggling chipmaker Intel last year.

The concept has also gained traction on the left, with Senator Bernie Sanders proposing a one-time 50% tax on AI companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI, payable in stock. Sanders argued this would give the public a direct role in shaping AI's future and ensure that trillions in potential profits benefit everyone. However, former AI and crypto czar David Sacks warned that such measures could accelerate an undesirable fusion of corporate and government interests.

Source: TechCrunch AI

Running a small business requires a wide range of skills, from accounting to marketing and product development. While large corporations can afford specialized staff, smaller operations often lack the resources. Now, artificial intelligence is stepping in to fill the gap, handling basic administrative work like note organization, meeting summaries, invoicing, and social media planning. This shift allows entrepreneurs to focus on growth without hiring extra help.

According to MIT Technology Review AI, current AI models can take over many routine tasks that once demanded human attention. Small-business owners are increasingly using these tools to streamline operations, set goals, and manage customer outreach. The technology is not just a convenience—it's becoming a necessity for staying competitive in a fast-paced market.

However, experts caution that AI adoption comes with risks, including data privacy concerns and potential errors in automated decisions. Business owners must carefully evaluate which tasks to delegate and ensure oversight remains in place. Despite these challenges, the trend is accelerating as AI becomes more accessible and affordable.

For those ready to explore, MIT Technology Review AI recommends starting small, testing tools on low-stakes tasks, and scaling up gradually. The goal is not to replace human judgment but to enhance efficiency, freeing up time for strategic thinking and innovation.

Federal Magistrate Judge Maritza Braswell in Colorado is witnessing a dramatic rise in court filings from unrepresented individuals, with numbers more than doubling since 2023. She attributes this surge to AI tools that help people draft legal documents. However, while AI may be increasing access to the justice system, it is not improving outcomes for litigants. Judges are now questioning the responsibilities of chatbots acting as legal aides, and lawmakers are debating who should be liable when AI delivers flawed legal advice.

In a separate development, Google has backed a new virtual power plant project on the largest U.S. power grid. The initiative will group electric vehicles and smart thermostats, paying customers to reduce electricity use during peak demand. This could free up capacity for Google’s data centers, but success hinges on public participation. The project tests whether people will accept payments to adjust their energy habits to support local data infrastructure.

These stories highlight how AI is reshaping both the legal system and energy management. From courtroom challenges to grid innovations, technology continues to create new opportunities and dilemmas. The full reports explore the implications of these trends in depth.

Google has signed a groundbreaking deal with Voltus to finance a virtual power plant (VPP) on the largest U.S. power grid, marking a significant step in tech giants using distributed energy to fuel data centers. The VPP will aggregate devices like electric vehicles and smart thermostats, paying customers to reduce or shift electricity use during peak grid stress. Google will cover setup costs, with the extra capacity helping power its regional data centers. This is one of the most concrete examples yet of a major tech firm leveraging VPPs to meet energy demand, though questions remain about scalability and limits.

Data center flexibility has gained attention, with a Duke University study showing that if data centers cut demand for just 40 hours yearly, about 100 gigawatts of new capacity could come online without new power plants. The grid is built for peak usage—like hot July evenings—so reducing strain during those times allows data centers to operate normally otherwise. However, incentives are tricky: data centers may resist losing computing capacity, especially with rising AI demand where customer needs are immediate.

Regulation offers one path, such as proposals allowing faster data center approvals if they agree to curtail demand during emergencies. Texas has already passed a law requiring large users to switch to backup power in crises. Another approach, pioneered by Voltus's "Bring your own capacity" program, lets data centers pay others to be flexible. Google is the first named customer, with Voltus aggregating up to 100 megawatts of distributed resources in the PJM grid, expected operational by 2027.

Google has previous flexibility agreements with utilities, but acknowledges limits on data center load shifting. "There is no one solution for expanding grid capacity," said Michael Terrell, Google's global head of advanced energy. The deal highlights ongoing exploration of load flexibility, though questions about incentives and feasibility persist.

Sriram Krishnan, a former tech executive and venture capitalist, is stepping down from his role as a senior policy advisor on artificial intelligence at the White House, effective at the end of June. In a social media post, Krishnan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve under President Donald Trump, crediting his leadership for keeping the U.S. at the forefront of the global AI race. Krishnan was among several tech industry figures who joined the second Trump administration.

Krishnan, who previously led product teams at major companies like Microsoft, Twitter, and Facebook, and was a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, highlighted key achievements during his tenure. These include the administration's AI Action Plan, which emphasized data center expansion over regulation, and several executive orders aimed at challenging state-level AI laws and shaping federal oversight. He also noted the close collaboration with David Sacks, the former AI and crypto czar, whose advocacy for American AI dominance he praised.

Looking ahead, Krishnan announced plans to focus on "building institutions" to address major challenges for the U.S. and its allies. According to reports, he intends to establish an outside organization that will allow him to continue influencing AI policy. His departure marks a significant shift in the administration's AI strategy, as the industry grapples with issues like energy, data centers, and ensuring public access to AI benefits.