OpenAI has reportedly discussed offering the US government a 5% equity stake in the company as part of early negotiations with the Trump administration over artificial intelligence oversight. The proposal represents a significant move by the ChatGPT maker to navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment while preparing for a potential public listing on Wall Street.
According to the Financial Times, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman raised the idea during discussions with senior Trump administration officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Altman argued that giving the public a financial stake in the company would be the most effective way to distribute the economic benefits generated by the booming AI industry.
The proposal extends beyond OpenAI alone. Under the framework being discussed, several leading US AI companies would contribute a 5% equity stake to a public investment vehicle. However, it remains unclear whether competitors such as Anthropic, Google, and Meta would support such an arrangement. This follows a pattern seen in regulatory discussions globally where governments seek greater involvement in emerging technology sectors.
Altman modeled the proposal on Alaska’s Permanent Fund, which invests the state’s oil revenue into stocks and distributes dividends to residents. Under a similar approach, Americans could receive regular payouts from AI-generated economic gains. The CEO has also been in talks with Senator Bernie Sanders, who in June proposed a one-time 50% tax on the largest AI companies’ stock to create a nearly $7 trillion sovereign wealth fund for American citizens.
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The timing of these discussions coincides with OpenAI’s confidential submission of an S-1 filing for a US initial public offering. The company joins Anthropic in preparing for a Wall Street debut this year, marking a major milestone for the AI sector. This IPO preparation occurs as the US government takes a more active role in overseeing advanced AI models and their deployment.
Washington has intensified its focus on AI oversight in recent weeks. The White House is preparing voluntary standards for frontier AI models following its intervention in recent system rollouts from both OpenAI and Anthropic. The guidance is expected to be announced shortly and would establish security benchmarks, set review timelines, and clarify access restrictions for the most advanced AI models within the US and internationally.
The Trump administration reportedly requested a staggered rollout of OpenAI’s GPT-5.6 model and temporarily imposed export controls on Anthropic’s latest systems over cybersecurity concerns. These restrictions were later lifted, but the episode underscores the government’s willingness to intervene in AI development and deployment decisions. According to Cointelegraph, such regulatory actions signal a shift toward more hands-on government involvement in the AI sector.
The proposal to give the government an equity stake represents a novel approach to AI regulation. Rather than imposing strict restrictions or heavy taxation, the framework would align government interests with company success. This could create incentives for responsible AI development while ensuring public participation in industry gains.
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Industry observers note that the proposal faces significant hurdles. Convincing multiple major AI companies to voluntarily surrender 5% equity stakes would require substantial negotiation and coordination. Additionally, questions remain about how such a public investment vehicle would be structured, governed, and how dividends would be distributed to American citizens.
The discussions also reflect broader tensions between innovation and regulation in the AI space. The Trump administration appears to be seeking a middle ground between enabling rapid AI development and ensuring adequate government oversight. By offering equity participation rather than punitive measures, the approach could appeal to both industry and policymakers concerned about AI safety and economic fairness.
Cointelegraph reached out to OpenAI for comment on the reported discussions but had not received a response at the time of publication. The company’s response to these proposals could significantly influence how other AI firms approach similar regulatory negotiations.
As the AI industry continues its rapid expansion, the outcome of these discussions could set important precedents for how governments worldwide engage with transformative technology companies. Whether other nations adopt similar equity-sharing models remains to be seen, but the proposal demonstrates creative thinking about balancing innovation with public benefit.
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