OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is reportedly exploring a proposal to grant the U.S. government a 5% ownership stake in the artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT. The move is seen as an effort to solidify ties with the Trump administration and mitigate growing political scrutiny surrounding the rapid advancement of AI.
Altman has suggested that offering the public a financial stake in a leading AI company like OpenAI would be an effective way to distribute the economic gains derived from cutting-edge technology. Based on OpenAI's most recent private valuation of approximately $852 billion, a 5% stake would be worth around $42.6 billion. This figure could potentially rise to $50 billion if the company achieves its reported goal of a $1 trillion valuation in a future initial public offering, though any IPO valuation would be subject to market conditions.
This proposal represents a significant potential federal ownership position in a private technology firm. The plan also suggests that other major AI developers, such as Anthropic, Google, and Meta, could be encouraged to cede roughly 5% of their equity to a government-backed investment vehicle. This model would be similar to Alaska's Permanent Fund, which manages the state's oil wealth and provides dividends to residents. It remains uncertain whether rival companies would support such an initiative.
The discussions between OpenAI and the Trump administration are described as preliminary and may require congressional approval, according to individuals familiar with the matter. Altman has personally engaged in conversations with former President Donald Trump, as well as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
These discussions occur as Washington expresses increasing caution about the AI industry, citing concerns about extensive data center construction, cybersecurity threats, and the potential impact of AI on employment. OpenAI and its competitor Anthropic have been subject to heightened federal review of their latest AI models, with some Republican figures and Trump advisors advocating for stricter oversight of the sector.
Altman's proposal reflects a broader trend in the Trump administration's industrial policy, which has moved beyond subsidies and tax incentives to pursue minority ownership stakes in strategically important companies. For instance, Intel confirmed an agreement in August where the federal government would invest $8.9 billion for approximately 433.3 million shares, securing a roughly 10% stake. In that arrangement, the government is designated as a passive investor without a board seat or special governance rights.
The administration has reportedly pursued similar equity arrangements with entities like rare-earth producer MP Materials and a consortium of quantum-computing companies as part of a wider strategy to bolster U.S. leadership in critical technologies. Separately, Senator Bernie Sanders recently proposed a $7 trillion sovereign wealth fund for government investment in AI companies.