OpenAI Explored Giving US Government a 5% Stake, Financial Times Reports
OpenAI has reportedly discussed the possibility of granting the U.S. government a 5% ownership stake, according to a Financial Times report on Thursday. The proposal, as detailed by the newspaper, suggested that other major American AI companies might also cede similar stakes to the government. It remains unclear if these other companies would agree to such a plan, and Reuters has not independently verified the information. Neither OpenAI nor the White House immediately responded to requests for comment. This discussion follows remarks made by former President Donald Trump last month, who indicated he was exploring ways to ensure American citizens benefit from the projected profits of the AI sector. Previously, OpenAI had considered establishing a "public wealth fund" to invest in AI companies and distribute returns to citizens. Similarly, Anthropic has stated it is examining a "digital dividend" involving payments to Americans funded by taxes on the AI industry. The Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the discussions, stated that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and other executives proposed that leading AI firms allocate 5% of their capital to a fund modeled after the Alaska Permanent Fund. This state-owned entity, funded by oil revenues, provides annual dividends to residents and supports Alaska's budget. The report also indicates that Altman discussed this stake sale with Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and has also engaged in conversations with Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders. This news emerges shortly after OpenAI postponed the full public release of GPT-5.6 at the request of the U.S. government, following an order for rival Anthropic to suspend foreign access to its AI models due to national security concerns. Both OpenAI and Anthropic have confidentially filed applications to go public in the United States.
The reported discussions between OpenAI and the U.S. government regarding equity stakes highlight a complex interplay between technological advancement, national economic interests, and public benefit. The proposal to allocate a percentage of AI companies' capital to a public fund echoes concepts of sovereign wealth funds, aiming to democratize the financial gains from a rapidly growing industry. This approach could be viewed as an attempt to preemptively address concerns about wealth concentration and ensure broader societal participation in the economic dividends of artificial intelligence. However, the feasibility and implications of such a model are multifaceted, involving regulatory frameworks, valuation methodologies, and the potential impact on innovation incentives. The U.S. government's engagement, as suggested by these reports, indicates a strategic interest in shaping the future trajectory of AI development and its economic outcomes, balancing private sector growth with public access to its benefits.
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