OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, is reportedly in discussions to offer the U.S. government a five per cent equity stake in the company as part of efforts to address growing political and regulatory scrutiny surrounding artificial intelligence (AI).
According to a report by the Financial Times, the proposal is still at an early stage and would see other leading American AI companies consider similar arrangements to allow the public to benefit from the industry’s rapid growth.
OpenAI Chief Executive Officer, Sam Altman, was quoted as saying that public ownership would enable citizens to share in the economic benefits generated by AI while helping to build public trust in the technology.
Based on OpenAI’s March funding round, which valued the company at about 852 billion dollars, a five per cent stake would be worth approximately 42.6 billion dollars.
The report said the proposal comes amid increasing concerns over AI’s impact on jobs, national security and the concentration of wealth within a handful of technology companies.
Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration was exploring ways to ensure Americans benefit directly from the country’s leadership in artificial intelligence, including the possibility of government equity stakes in AI companies.
Under the reported proposal, OpenAI executives suggested that major AI firms could allocate five per cent of their equity to a public investment vehicle modelled after the Alaska Permanent Fund, which invests state oil revenues and distributes returns for public benefit.
The discussions are also taking place as OpenAI and rival AI company Anthropic prepare for potential stock market listings that would allow public investment in their businesses.
According to the report, implementation of such an arrangement could require approval by the U.S. Congress, while it remains unclear whether other AI companies would support the proposal.
OpenAI had previously advocated the creation of a “public wealth fund” that would give every citizen a stake in AI-driven economic growth, regardless of whether they participate in financial markets.
The proposal comes as the Trump administration intensifies oversight of advanced AI technologies while promoting U.S. leadership in the rapidly expanding sector.
