OpenAI explores giving US government 5% stake

OpenAI is in early-stage discussions about granting a 5% equity stake in the company to the US government, as artificial intelligence firms explore ways to strengthen relations with President Donald Trump’s administration, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the talks.

Chief executive Sam Altman has argued that giving the public a financial stake in leading AI companies is the most effective way to distribute the economic benefits of the technology, according to the report.

The proposal could extend beyond OpenAI, with other major US AI developers potentially asked to contribute a similar share, although it remains unclear whether companies such as Anthropic, Google and Meta would support the idea.

Such an arrangement could help the industry build political goodwill in Washington by sharing the gains from the AI boom more broadly with the public, at a time of increasing government scrutiny.

Pressure from US authorities has intensified in recent weeks. Last month, Anthropic restricted access to its newest model after the government ordered limits on availability to foreign nationals over national security concerns. The company said this week that full access had been restored after addressing those issues.

Altman and other OpenAI executives have suggested that equity contributions could be directed into an investment vehicle modelled on the Alaska Permanent Fund, which invests state oil revenues and distributes dividends to residents. Under such a structure, proceeds from AI growth could be shared more widely across the population.

The discussions remain “conceptual” and at an early stage, and any implementation would likely require approval from Congress, the report said.

Both OpenAI and Anthropic have previously floated similar ideas in policy papers, arguing that a public or sovereign wealth fund could help ensure broader participation in the economic gains generated by artificial intelligence.

In April, OpenAI said that a “public wealth fund” could provide “every citizen – including those not invested in financial markets – with a stake in AI-driven economic growth”.

OpenAI and Anthropic are also preparing for potential stock market listings, with some investors valuing each company at more than $1 trillion, underscoring the scale of the industry’s rapid expansion.

By Tamilla Hasanova