In recent discussions, OpenAI, the team behind ChatGPT, is reportedly contemplating offering the Trump administration a 5% stake in the company. This development comes amid intensified scrutiny of artificial intelligence companies by government entities, according to a report by the Financial Times based on insights from unnamed sources familiar with these ongoing talks.
The proposed arrangement might extend beyond OpenAI, with other leading U.S. AI firms discussing similar equity stakes for the government. Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has positioned this proposal as a way for the public to participate in the financial benefits stemming from advancements in AI technology. OpenAI has chosen not to comment on this matter, while the White House has not responded to requests for further information.
Valued at approximately $852 billion following a funding round earlier this year, a 5% stake in OpenAI would equate to around $42.6 billion. Establishing a mechanism for public profit-sharing could alleviate some concerns regarding the implications of AI, particularly as the technology raises issues related to job displacement across various sectors and potential national security risks.
Last month, former President Donald Trump announced his intentions to convene with AI executives to explore potential public investment opportunities in their firms. He indicated that the administration is evaluating various partnership avenues to ensure the government reaps benefits from the burgeoning AI sector.
In a recent CNBC interview, Trump expressed his belief that it's entirely appropriate for the federal government to invest in private enterprises, countering the notion that such actions are un-American.
Reflecting on past investments, he pointed to the U.S. government's acquisition of a roughly 10% stake in Intel, which he emphasized had bolstered the company’s financial performance and led to a significant increase in stock value.
During the interview, Trump was asked whether the government would pursue similar stakes in AI companies but did not provide a definitive answer.
Both OpenAI and its competitor Anthropic, known for Claude AI, have faced delays in the launch of upcoming models due to governmental scrutiny. Anthropic recently announced that the U.S. government had eased export controls on its latest models following successful negotiations.
Furthermore, the White House has requested that OpenAI limit access to its forthcoming GPT 5.6 model to a select group of government-approved partners due to its advanced functionalities.
Both OpenAI and Anthropic are gearing up for potential public offerings, which would pave the way for public investment and increased transparency regarding their financial activities.
As part of the recent proposals, Altman and OpenAI executives have suggested allocating 5% of their equity to a fund modeled after the Alaska Permanent Fund, investing the state's oil revenues into stocks and distributing dividends to the government.
Any implementation of such a deal could necessitate legislative approval, and the extent of support from other AI companies for these proposals remains uncertain.
In April, OpenAI championed the idea of establishing a “public wealth fund” aimed at enabling every citizen—including those outside the financial markets—to benefit from the economic growth driven by AI technologies. Under Trump’s administration, bolstering American leadership in AI and other cutting-edge technologies has been a key focus. In August, the government acquired a 10% stake in Intel, a move valued at $8.9 billion.
