OpenAI is in early talks to give the U.S. government a 5% equity stake in the company, according to the Financial Times, whose report was relayed by Reuters. The discussions come as artificial intelligence firms face growing scrutiny in Washington over the potential misuse of advanced AI.
CEO Sam Altman has framed the idea as a way to make sure everyday Americans share in the financial upside of the AI boom, several outlets report. According to Republic World, the proposed stake would be worth roughly $42.6 billion, and the move is aimed at easing political tensions around the technology.
Some reporting adds more shape to the plan. Technology Org describes the equity as going to a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, while Proactive ties the 5% figure to OpenAI's anticipated IPO. Gizmodo reports that Altman has also floated a broader vision, proposing a "U.S.-led international forum" on AI alongside the stake for the Trump administration.
The talks are described across sources as preliminary. Reuters, citing the FT, characterizes them as discussions rather than a finalized deal.
Not everyone sees the arrangement as clean. According to Tech Times, experts warn that handing the government a large ownership position could create a conflict of interest, since Washington would simultaneously be a regulator writing AI safety rules and a shareholder with a financial interest in the company's growth.
Why it matters: If it happens, the deal would give the U.S. government a direct financial stake in one of the world's most influential AI companies, blurring the line between regulator and investor at the exact moment officials are deciding how to govern the technology.