OpenAI, the San Francisco‑based artificial‑intelligence lab, has entered preliminary discussions to sell a 5 percent ownership slice of the company to the United States government. The idea, first floated to former President Donald Trump early last year, is intended to calm mounting public backlash and to give the administration a direct financial interest in the AI boom.
At a valuation of $852 billion from its most recent funding round, a 5 percent stake would be worth about $42.6 billion. Sam Altman, OpenAI’s chief executive, reportedly suggested the exact figure during the early talks, according to the Financial Times, which cited two sources familiar with the negotiations.
While the proposal is still in its infancy, the company hinted that the offer could extend to other American AI firms. The government’s response, however, remains unclear, and it is not yet known whether any of the companies would agree to cede a share of ownership.
The move comes at a time when the Trump administration has taken an unusually hands‑on approach to AI policy. Earlier this year, the Pentagon labeled OpenAI a supply‑chain risk, and the administration recently slapped export controls on the firm’s latest models, forcing a temporary market withdrawal. Those actions have raised concerns about future regulatory interference and the broader impact on U.S. AI leadership.
Policy makers have shown a growing appetite for capturing a portion of the wealth generated by AI. Under Trump, the federal government already took a 10 percent stake in chipmaker Intel and is reported to have pressured Nvidia and AMD to surrender a 15 percent cut of AI‑chip sales to China. Senator Bernie Sanders has also floated the idea of a one‑time 50 percent tax on AI company stock values to fund a sovereign wealth fund.
OpenAI’s proposal could be seen as a pre‑emptive strike to align its interests with those of the government, thereby reducing the likelihood of more aggressive interventions. By offering a direct financial stake, the company hopes to demonstrate that the upside of AI can be shared with the American public, not just private investors.
Industry observers caution that the arrangement could set a precedent for government involvement in private tech ventures. Critics argue that ceding ownership could compromise corporate independence, while supporters claim it provides a transparent mechanism for the public to benefit from rapid technological advances.
For now, the talks remain confidential, and no formal agreement has been announced. Both OpenAI and the administration have declined to comment beyond the acknowledgement that discussions are ongoing.
If the deal moves forward, it would mark a historic shift in how emerging technologies are financed and regulated in the United States. The outcome could shape the balance between innovation, national security, and public wealth for years to come.
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