OpenAI Proposes 5% Stake to U.S. Government Amid Washington Pressure

OpenAI, a leading artificial intelligence company, has reportedly proposed granting a 5% equity stake to the U.S. government. This offer is seen as a strategic move to alleviate growing political and regulatory pressure from Washington and to share the economic benefits of AI technologies with the American public. The development, initially reported by the Financial Times, has garnered significant attention in the technology sector.

According to the Financial Times, citing two unnamed sources, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has engaged in discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump and other senior administration officials regarding this proposal. Based on OpenAI's valuation of $852 billion from its March funding round, a 5% stake would be worth approximately $42.6 billion. The proposal is not limited to OpenAI alone; it also suggests that other major U.S. AI companies, such as Anthropic, Google, and Meta, should cede similar 5% stakes to a government investment vehicle, potentially modeled after the Alaska Permanent Fund. Altman argues that this approach is the most effective way to distribute the wealth generated by AI to the public.

This offer comes amidst increasing regulatory scrutiny on AI companies from Washington. The U.S. administration has expressed concerns over national security risks associated with advanced AI models, data usage, and competition from Chinese counterparts. For instance, OpenAI's competitor, Anthropic, was forced to temporarily suspend access to some of its advanced models last month to comply with a government export control directive. With OpenAI reportedly preparing for an initial public offering (IPO), this proposal could also serve to clear regulatory hurdles and streamline its market entry process.

U.S. Republicans and President Trump have shown receptiveness to the idea of public ownership in AI giants. In June, Trump stated that the U.S. taking an ownership stake in AI companies would be “a beautiful thing” and make the American public “partners in this revolution.” The administration has a precedent of acquiring stakes in companies like Intel and IBM for strategic reasons. Conversely, some politicians, such as Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders, advocate for a more substantial approach, proposing a one-time 50% tax on AI companies' stock to establish a sovereign wealth fund.

The discussions are currently described as “conceptual” and in their early stages, with any potential deal likely requiring Congressional approval. Analysts and critics voice concerns that such government involvement could lead to cronyism, politicize the AI industry, and potentially expose taxpayers to bailouts if an “AI bubble” were to burst. The willingness of other AI giants to participate in such an arrangement remains uncertain.