OpenAI is reportedly in early discussions about granting the U.S. government a 5% equity stake in the company as federal scrutiny of artificial intelligence intensifies. The proposal, still unconfirmed, comes as the AI giant prepares for a potential initial public offering (IPO) and the Trump administration explores ways to give the public a financial stake in AI’s growth.
Discussions Over Public Ownership Gain Momentum
According to the Financial Times, OpenAI executives have floated a plan that would allow the U.S. government to hold a 5% stake in the company. Similar arrangements might be extended to other leading American AI firms, though their support remains unclear. The talks are preliminary and have not been finalized.
Based on OpenAI’s latest funding round in March, a 5% stake would be valued at approximately $42.6 billion. CEO Sam Altman has suggested that public participation in AI’s financial gains could help address concerns about the technology’s impact on jobs and the broader economy. In April, OpenAI proposed creating a ‘public wealth fund’ to give every citizen a stake in AI-driven economic growth, regardless of their involvement in financial markets.
The report also indicates that Altman discussed the proposal with President Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Senator Bernie Sanders. Any final arrangement would likely require congressional approval.
Growing Federal Oversight of AI
The proposed stake comes as OpenAI and fellow AI developer Anthropic prepare for public stock listings. IPOs would allow public investment while requiring greater financial disclosure. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have ramped up oversight of advanced AI systems, reviewing new models before public release citing national security and safety concerns.
Previously, Anthropic worked with officials before export restrictions on one of its models were lifted. OpenAI has reportedly faced White House requests to limit access to an upcoming GPT-5.6 model to government-approved partners during its initial rollout. These developments reflect deeper cooperation between AI companies and federal agencies as governments seek more involvement in managing rapidly advancing AI technology.
Trump Administration Seeks Broader Government Role
Last month, President Trump said his administration was exploring ways for the public to benefit directly from AI industry growth. One proposal, as reported by the Financial Times, would place government-owned AI shares into a fund modeled on Alaska’s Permanent Fund, which distributes annual dividends from oil revenue.
Government investment in strategic technology firms has expanded during Trump’s second term. Last year, the U.S. acquired a 10% stake in Intel as part of efforts to strengthen domestic technology leadership.
OpenAI has not confirmed whether the reported proposal will move forward. For now, discussions remain preliminary while policymakers and AI companies continue negotiations over future ownership models, regulation, and public participation in the sector’s growth.