OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and the Trump administration are reportedly discussing a framework that could give the US government an equity stake in the AI company. According to a report by CNBC, the proposal may support a public wealth fund designed to share AI-driven economic gains with citizens.
Co-founder of OpenAI, Altman met with several lawmakers and officials in Washington this week to deliberate on regulations and the latest developments in the field of AI.
The White House has been in talks with billionaire Sam Altman’s OpenAI over a possible government stake in the AI company. The CNBC report, citing an unnamed source, said Altman pitched the idea to the President Donald Trump-led administration in 2025, and the talks have been ongoing for over a year now.
As part of discussions, OpenAI is likely to donate some of its shares to seed a ‘Public Wealth Fund’, outlined in the company’s policy, CNBC reported.
n Friday, President Donald Trump addressed the talks while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, saying he would be meeting with AI firms in the ‘very short, very near future’. “There are concepts where pieces could be given to the American public, where the American public essentially becomes a partner," he said.
Tech companies like OpenAI have played a central role in shaping the White House's positions on the nascent technology. OpenAI said the fund could “invest in diversified, long-term assets", involving American citizens to share directly in the benefits of AI growth, according to a potential agreement. No official investment terms have been decided, and the details are still subject to change.
Trump on Friday signed a directive instructing the federal national security organizations to ‘accelerate AI adoption to meet surging demand’ and to rapidly onboard the ‘most advanced AI models from multiple vendors.’
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Valued at more than USD 850 billion by private investors, OpenAI is planning to launch an Initial Public Offering (IPO) this year, according to the report.
If the proposal moves forward, it could establish a new relationship between governments and AI companies. The outcome may influence future AI regulation, public participation in technology-driven wealth creation, and how nations seek to benefit from the rapid growth of artificial intelligence.