President Donald Trump told reporters Monday in the Oval Office that major U.S. artificial intelligence firms should provide some form of payment or benefit to the American public, though he did not specify what shape that might take. Trump indicated that his administration was discussing potential policies requiring these companies, which he described as highly profitable, to make a monetary or in-kind contribution. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was present as Trump referred to unspecified internal talks on the matter. The president also said there would be “guardrails” on AI, acknowledging the technology can produce both positive and negative outcomes. The vague remarks have spurred speculation about possible new government involvement in the fast-growing AI sector.