Senior US officials are holding preliminary discussions with major artificial intelligence companies, including OpenAI, about the federal government acquiring equity stakes in their firms. The primary focus of these talks is a proposal where AI companies would voluntarily cede shares to the government. The returns from these investments could then be used for public purposes, such as distributing dividend payments directly to American households.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman first discussed this concept with Trump administration officials in early 2025 and has revisited the idea recently as a way to broadly distribute the economic benefits of AI. OpenAI's own April policy paper recommends creating a "Public Wealth Fund" that would allow every citizen to have a stake in AI-driven economic growth. This fund would invest in diversified, long-term assets, including both AI companies and the broader firms adopting AI.
While the specific legal mechanisms for turning over equity are still unclear and could pose an obstacle, the potential agreement is seen as a way to address public anxiety about AI's economic impacts and ensure that its benefits are not confined to a small number of private owners. However, critics, including Nat Purser of Public Knowledge, warn of potential conflicts of interest, as the government would simultaneously be a shareholder and a regulator. Steve Bannon, a former chief strategist, also argued for a substantial government stake, suggesting 50% equity.
Despite the complexities and potential governance challenges, this initiative is being considered as OpenAI and Anthropic prepare for what could be among the largest initial public offerings in history. President Trump has indicated that the government is also looking into investments in other AI leaders, aligning with an executive order he signed in February calling for a national sovereign wealth fund. The Trump administration has already secured financial stakes in companies like Intel and IBM during his second term.
