OpenAI Reportedly Offers U.S. Government 5% Stake Amid Growing AI Regulation

OpenAI has reportedly held preliminary discussions about granting the U.S. government a 5 percent equity stake in the company, according to the Financial Times .

The proposal, which would involve a vehicle modeled on the Alaska Permanent Fund, aims to give the American public a share of the AI industry's financial upside.

CEO Sam Altman has discussed the idea with President Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, as well as Senator Bernie Sanders.

The move comes as AI faces mounting scrutiny in Washington over national security concerns, job displacement fears, and whether Americans will benefit from the sector's massive valuations.

OpenAI and rival Anthropic have both faced delays in releasing advanced models, underscoring the need for clearer regulatory relationships .

At a 5 percent stake, based on OpenAI's $852 billion valuation after its March 2026 funding round, the government's share would be worth approximately $426 billion .

"Altman has argued that giving the public a slice of his company was the best way to share upside from the AI boom." – Financial Times report on the OpenAI proposal

The proposal has drawn mixed reactions from industry observers and investors. Some view it as a strategic move to gain favor with the administration, while others warn it could set a troubling precedent.

David Sherman, an AI strategist at io.net, described the proposal as a "troubling milestone" that could hinder competition between AI labs . Kevin Bankston, an AI governance advisor, suggested a simpler alternative: "JUST. TAX. THEM." .

Forrester analyst Indranil Bandyopadhyay warned that "expect other jurisdictions to demand analogous arrangements as a condition of market access," suggesting the proposal could have global ripple effects .

The public AI ownership proposal also reflects a growing bipartisan interest in ensuring Americans share in AI's economic benefits.

President Trump has expressed interest in government equity stakes in leading AI firms, while Senator Sanders has advocated for a 50 percent government stake .

The proposal follows OpenAI's recent conversion to a for-profit public benefit corporation, which simplified its corporate structure and paved the way for an initial public offering .

As both OpenAI and Anthropic prepare for IPOs, the proposal represents one of the most significant governance shifts in AI industry history. However, it remains in early discussion stages, and questions about implementation, congressional approval, and competitive fairness remain unanswered.