OpenAI proposes a $42 billion stake for the U.S. government, aiming to democratize AI benefits amid increased regulatory scrutiny.
OpenAI Seeks Government Investment Amid Regulatory Changes
OpenAI has put forward a proposal for the U.S. government to acquire a 5% equity stake in the company, valued at approximately $42.6 billion based on its recent $852 billion valuation. This suggestion was made by CEO Sam Altman during discussions with President Trump and key officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Altman is advocating for this initiative as a means to ensure that the financial advantages of artificial intelligence are accessible to all Americans. He envisions a structure similar to a sovereign wealth fund, akin to the Alaska Permanent Fund, which would allow for the distribution of benefits from AI advancements to the public.
In addition to OpenAI, Altman is encouraging other prominent AI companies, such as Anthropic, Google, and Meta, to consider offering similar stakes, although there has been no indication of interest from these firms so far.
This proposal emerges amidst increased government scrutiny of AI technologies, highlighted by a limited rollout of OpenAI's GPT-5.6 and a temporary export ban on Anthropic's models due to national security concerns. OpenAI's cooperative stance contrasts with Anthropic's more cautious approach towards government engagement.
The current administration has shown a preference for equity as a way to forge relationships with tech companies. Previous actions include the government acquiring a 9.9% stake in Intel, which has since appreciated significantly. Discussions regarding OpenAI's proposal are still in the early stages and would require congressional approval if they were to progress.
Should this deal be finalized, it would represent a historic instance of the U.S. government holding equity in a private AI firm. Both OpenAI and Anthropic are currently navigating confidential IPO processes, meaning any government stake negotiated now would occur prior to potential dilution of ownership during public offerings.
Senator Bernie Sanders has also engaged with Altman, advocating for legislation that would require major AI companies to allocate 50% of their equity to a public fund, facilitating direct payments to Americans from AI-generated profits.
