Key Takeaways
- Elon Musk plans to give every American child 1 SpaceX share in 2027.
- The proposed giveaway could cover 73 million children and cost $10.7 billion.
- Anthropic plans to commit 5% of its shares to a public benefit fund.
Elon Musk has announced plans to give every child in the United States 1 SpaceX Share in 2027. The proposal follows Anthropic’s decision to allocate part of its equity to a fund supporting social causes, as technology companies face growing questions about the effects of artificial intelligence on jobs and society.
Musk’s Proposal Could Cost $10.7 Billion
Musk announced the plan in a post on X, saying the share distribution would begin next year and describing it as the first of several planned steps. However, he did not provide details on how the Spacex shares would reach children, how eligibility would be determined, or how the distribution would be funded.
SpaceX began public trading in June 2026 following an initial public offering. Its shares traded at around $146 when the market closed on Friday. At that price, distributing 1 share to every child under 18 in the United States would represent a potential value of about $10.7 billion.
The US Census Bureau estimates that the country has roughly 73 million people under the age of 18. The final value and reach of the proposed distribution would depend on the share price when it takes place, the number of eligible children, and the method used to transfer ownership.
The proposal also raises practical questions about managing shares for minors. The announcement did not explain whether parents or guardians would hold the shares on children’s behalf, whether recipients would face any restrictions on selling them, or whether the plan would cover every child regardless of their circumstances.
Giving young people access to investment accounts is already part of other US financial initiatives. A federal programme known as Trump Accounts began enrolling millions of children under 18 in July. Children born between January 2025 and December 2028 qualify for a one time government contribution of $1,000 under the programme.
Anthropic Commits Shares To Public Benefit Fund
Musk’s announcement followed Anthropic’s decision to commit at least 5% of its shares to a Public Benefit Fund. Based on the company’s latest valuation, the allocation is worth about $48 billion.
Anthropic said the fund could support nonprofit organisations through large donations or direct payments to selected groups. The company also said the money could help address the effects of artificial intelligence on employment as businesses adopt systems that can perform more tasks.
Musk responded to Anthropic’s announcement by recommending that shares go directly to the public. His proposal for SpaceX followed that statement, although he has not yet published a detailed distribution plan.
The two announcements come as artificial intelligence companies face questions about product safety, employment, and the environmental costs of expanding data centre capacity. Businesses are investing heavily in computing infrastructure to develop and operate AI systems, while concerns continue over the technology’s effects on workers and communities.
The proposals also highlight different approaches to distributing corporate value. Anthropic has outlined a fund that would direct resources towards social causes, while Musk has proposed transferring ownership directly to individuals. Neither announcement provides a complete timetable or detailed process for carrying out the planned distribution.
For business leaders, the announcements place corporate equity and social investment in focus as AI companies expand. The eventual impact of either plan will depend on its final structure, the value of the shares involved, and how the intended recipients gain access to the funds or assets.
