Key facts
- OpenAI proposed giving the U.S. government a 5% equity stake.
- The proposed stake is valued at approximately $42.6 billion.
- CEO Sam Altman discussed the proposal with President Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
- The proposal aims to share AI-driven economic growth benefits with the public.
- Senator Bernie Sanders advocates for a 50% tax on AI companies for a public fund.
- Any deal would likely require congressional approval.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has proposed giving 5% of the company's equity to a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, according to reports citing people familiar with the matter. The proposal, discussed in early talks with the Trump administration, aims to share AI-driven economic growth benefits with the public and preemptively address growing political scrutiny of the industry. Altman reportedly wants other major AI companies, including Anthropic, Google, and Meta, to contribute similar stakes.
Discussions have involved President Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. However, Senator Bernie Sanders has dismissed Altman's plan as insufficient, advocating instead for a 50% tax on leading AI firms to be deposited into a public wealth fund. The proposal is modeled after the Alaska Permanent Fund.
Any formal implementation of OpenAI's proposal would likely require congressional approval, significantly complicating the matter. The talks are described as conceptual and in early stages, and it is unclear if other companies would agree to the plan. OpenAI has also reportedly considered delaying its IPO until 2027.