OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman suggested that the company give five percent of its equity to a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, according to a Financial Times report citing two sources familiar with the discussion. The proposal, still in early stages, is intended to “secure good relations with the administration and … address political blowback,” the paper said.
Altman’s idea would not be limited to OpenAI. The FT notes that other artificial‑intelligence firms could be asked to donate comparable stakes, creating a pool of public ownership in the sector. The concept surfaced in June during a CNBC interview and was later referenced by former President Donald Trump, who said he had discussed “concepts where pieces could be given to the American public, where the American public essentially becomes a partner with the companies.”
No final size for the equity stake has been set, and the plan remains speculative. The report adds that any formal transfer would likely need congressional approval, a hurdle that could complicate implementation.
Altman has already outlined a broader framework for a public AI fund. In April, OpenAI released a policy paper titled “Industrial Policy for the Intelligence Age,” which proposes a wealth fund that could invest directly in AI labs and firms deploying the technology. The paper argues that returns from such a fund would be paid out to citizens, allowing a wider segment of the population to share in AI‑driven growth regardless of their initial wealth or access to capital.
Parallel legislative efforts echo the same theme. In June, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I‑VT) introduced the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, a bill that would levy a one‑time 50 percent tax on the stock of “systemically important” AI companies. Collected shares would be placed in a public wealth fund. The legislation exempts companies whose AI activities represent only a portion of their business, permitting firms like Google and SpaceX to spin off non‑AI divisions to avoid the tax.
Sanders’ bill has not yet moved beyond introduction and faces an uncertain path through committees. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s internal policy paper and Altman’s equity‑donation suggestion signal a growing appetite among AI leaders and some policymakers to involve the public more directly in the sector’s upside.
Whether the equity transfer or the broader public‑fund model will materialize depends on a mix of political will, regulatory approval, and industry buy‑in. For now, the proposals remain a talking point in the evolving debate over how to balance rapid AI advancement with public interest.
Este artículo fue escrito con la asistencia de IA.
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