OpenAI Proposes 5% Ownership Stake to U.S. Government
Poinews.com – OpenAI has proposed a 5% ownership stake in the company to the U.S. government, as reported by the Financial Times on Thursday. This move aims to preempt escalating political scrutiny in Washington, particularly surrounding the AI firm’s influence and operations. The stake, valued at approximately $42.6 billion (€37.4 billion), represents a major concession, even for a well-funded entity like OpenAI.
Valuation and Industry Impact
The proposed share is calculated based on the $852 billion (€749 billion) valuation investors assigned to the company just three months prior, during a fundraising round in March. If accepted, this would create a government-held portion of the U.S. AI sector, with Sam Altman advocating for similar contributions from other industry leaders, including Anthropic, Google, and Meta.
The outcome remains uncertain as these companies have yet to confirm their stance. Altman’s proposal aligns with earlier ideas he promoted, such as a “public wealth fund” designed to invest in AI firms and distribute profits to citizens. This concept mirrors Alaska’s oil dividend model, which shares state revenue with residents annually.
Inspired by State Revenue Models
Altman’s vision draws from Alaska’s oil dividend system, where state revenue is shared with residents, and he has suggested a similar approach for AI profits.
Rival Anthropic has also proposed a “digital dividend,” funded by taxes on the AI industry, reflecting a broader push for public involvement in tech innovation.
Discussions about the plan have spanned over a year, with Altman engaging key figures like U.S. President Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. However, Senator Bernie Sanders has criticized the offer, arguing it falls short of true public ownership.
Sanders contends the proposal is a diluted version of real public control, suggesting a one-time 50% tax on shares of OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI instead.
While Trump acknowledged the talks, he has not finalized any agreement. The initiative, first introduced in early 2025, continues to evolve as political and economic dynamics shift.
