Sam Altman Weighs 5% OpenAI Stake for U.S. if AI Rivals Match
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 4
Sam Altman Weighs 5% OpenAI Stake for U.S. if AI Rivals Match
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 4
Summary
Financial Times reported Sam Altman is considering giving the U.S. a 5% stake in OpenAI, but only if rivals including Meta, Google and Anthropic also contribute similar equity.
The proposal emerged from talks with President Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about making OpenAI public to some degree and broadening public participation in AI gains.
Bernie Sanders has pushed far beyond that idea, proposing a one-time tax that would give the government up to 50% ownership of major AI firms, underscoring the political pressure facing the sector.
Altman appears to see a government stake as both a way to spread AI wealth and to strengthen OpenAI's standing with the Trump administration as companies race to shape AI policy ahead of potential public listings.
The idea fits a wider pattern of Trump-era state investments, with the U.S. previously taking 10% of Intel and 15% of MP Minerals, alongside stakes in U.S. Steel and quantum companies.
If OpenAI gives the government a stake, will its AI rivals be forced to do the same?
Can a government be both a shareholder and an impartial regulator for the powerful AI industry?
The $1 Trillion Question: Should the U.S. Government Own a Piece of OpenAI?
Overview
The Trump administration is in talks with OpenAI about the US government taking an equity stake in the company, reflecting a new industrial policy that targets the AI sector. This move is driven by the belief that AI, built on collective human knowledge, should benefit the public rather than just tech billionaires. The debate has sparked proposals for shifting tax burdens from labor to capital, such as a 'robot tax,' and has led to discussions about how AI companies can give back to society. Meanwhile, OpenAI faces IPO challenges amid market volatility and rising competition, highlighting the complex intersection of government policy, public benefit, and industry dynamics.