OpenAI has begun early discussions to give the US government a 5% equity stake in the company. This proposal, which would involve a stake worth tens of billions of dollars, is part of an effort to smooth relations with Donald Trump's administration.
CEO Sam Altman has argued that providing the US public with a financial stake through a sovereign wealth fund is the best way to share the benefits and financial gains of the AI boom. Donald Trump previously stated in June that the U.S. taking an ownership stake in AI giants would be a beautiful thing and would make the American public partners in this revolution.
The proposal is part of a broader arrangement under which the US would hold 5% of each of its leading AI developers, and Altman has suggested that other Silicon Valley giants should do the same. Discussions between the White House and the startup have been ongoing for more than a year.