An article summarized by ZeroHedge:
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has reportedly discussed the possibility of giving the U.S. government a 5% ownership stake in OpenAI, which would value the company at approximately $852 billion. According to reports, the proposal is still in its early, conceptual stages and is modeled after the Alaska Permanent Fund, with the goal of giving the public a financial stake in the economic gains created by artificial intelligence. Any such arrangement would likely require congressional approval.
The discussions come as the Trump administration increases its involvement in strategic technology industries and weighs the economic effects of AI on jobs and local communities. Altman has reportedly spoken with President Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Senator Bernie Sanders about public ownership of AI companies. The proposal follows recent government investments in companies such as Intel and MP Materials and could encourage other major AI firms to consider similar arrangements.
OpenAI has previously proposed creating a "public wealth fund" that would allow Americans to benefit financially from AI-driven economic growth while giving them a voice in how the technology develops. Supporters argue that a government stake could help address concerns over AI's impact on employment and wealth inequality while easing political pressure ahead of OpenAI's planned initial public offering, currently expected in 2027. The broader debate also comes as questions grow about whether the massive investment in AI infrastructure and data centers will be matched by sufficient long-term demand for AI computing power.
