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OpenAI ‘in early talks to give 5% stake to US government’

theguardian.com

July 2, 2026

2 min read

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Summary

OpenAI is in early discussions to offer a 5% stake in the company to the US government. CEO Sam Altman believes that providing the public with a financial stake would help share the benefits of artificial intelligence.

Key Takeaways

OpenAI is in early talks to offer a 5% stake in the company to the US government to improve relations with the Trump administration.
The proposal includes other US AI companies potentially giving a similar stake to the government, although participation from companies like Anthropic, Google, and Meta is uncertain.
OpenAI and Anthropic have suggested that a public or sovereign wealth fund may be necessary to distribute shares to the public as AI-driven economic growth increases.
Discussions about public ownership have involved key political figures, including Donald Trump and Senator Bernie Sanders, who advocates for a sovereign wealth fund financed by a tax on AI companies.

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Community Sentiment

Negative

Positives

The idea of government ownership in AI could incentivize a more equitable distribution of AI benefits, potentially leading to broader public engagement with technology.

Concerns

Government ownership of AI companies raises serious concerns about impartial regulation, as vested interests could compromise fair decision-making in competitive landscapes.
This move could create perverse incentives, undermining the democratic control of technology and leading to conflicts of interest in regulatory decisions.
The government’s investment in AI may entrench existing power dynamics, making it difficult for new competitors to emerge and innovate in the field.