Sam Altman's Big AI Bargain? OpenAI Could Offer US Government 5% Stake

Published 4 July 2026 · tech

Sam Altman's Big AI Bargain? OpenAI Could Offer US Government 5% Stake Published By, Last Updated: July 04, 2026, 18:59 IST Any proposal to grant

Sam Altman's Big AI Bargain? OpenAI Could Offer US Government 5% Stake Published By, Last Updated: July 04, 2026, 18:59 IST Any proposal to grant the US government an equity stake would likely require approval from Congress before it could be implemented. Sam Altman has also advocated for a US-led international forum to develop common AI safety and governance standards. (PTI photo) OpenAI is reportedly exploring the possibility of offering the US government a 5% equity stake, according to the Financial Times. The proposal remains in the early stages of discussion. The move is said to reflect OpenAI’s broader vision of allowing the public to benefit financially from the rapid growth of artificial intelligence. CEO Sam Altman has previously expressed support for mechanisms similar to a public wealth fund that would enable people to share in AI-driven economic gains, Axios reported. Proposal Aims To Share AI Wealth With Citizens One option under consideration is encouraging other leading AI companies to adopt a similar approach, potentially through investment vehicles or government-backed accounts that give American households exposure to the sector.

The proposal comes as the Trump administration continues to evaluate the regulatory framework governing the release of advanced AI models. If the government were to become a shareholder, it could find itself balancing its role as both a regulator and an investor in one of the world’s leading AI firms. Government Role Raises Regulatory Questions Altman has also advocated for a US-led international forum to develop common AI safety and governance standards, which could offer an alternative to more direct government oversight. According to the Axios report, some investors view the proposal as an attempt to improve public perception of the AI industry by suggesting that ordinary Americans could share in its financial success, even as automation raises concerns about job displacement. The concept is not without precedent. The US government’s 9.9% investment in Intel, made last August, has turned out to be profitable. Intel’s share price has risen by nearly 400% since then, although the overall rise in chip stocks has also contributed to the gain.

According to the report, the discussions are still at a very early stage and remain “conceptual." Any proposal to grant the US government an equity stake would likely require approval from Congress before it could be implemented. Both OpenAI and Anthropic have previously argued in policy papers that a public or sovereign wealth fund could be used to distribute the benefits of AI to citizens. In April, OpenAI said that a “public wealth fund" could provide “every citizen – including those not invested in financial markets – with a stake in AI-driven economic growth". The two AI companies are also preparing for potential stock market listings in the United States. Some investors believe their initial public offerings could value each company at more than $1 trillion (£751 billion). News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk.