According to some experts, artificial intelligence can make everyone richer by making work more efficient.

Every adult in the United States could earn $13,500 a year in profits generated by AI in a decade, Sam Altman, head of the artificial intelligence-focused nonprofit OpenAI, wrote in a recent blog post. But some observers say that while AI will generate wealth, it may not be evenly distributed.

“It is abundantly clear that AI innovations are in the domain of the rich companies: the Googles, Amazons and Facebooks of the world,” said Timothy C. Havens, an artificial intelligence expert and professor at Michigan Technological University, in an email interview.

“AI algorithms require enormous amounts of energy and computing infrastructure to perform their tasks; as a result, certain companies have a stranglehold on the AI industry. This could increase income inequality.”