OpenAI proposes $42.6B stake for US public AI fund

OpenAI proposes giving the US government a 5% stake, worth $42.6B, to fund a public wealth initiative sharing AI-driven gains with Americans. The plan is voluntary and may include other AI firms.

OpenAI has proposed granting the US government a 5% equity stake in the company, valued at approximately $42.6 billion based on its $852 billion valuation. This initiative, discussed with the Trump administration since early 2025, aims to allocate the stake to a public wealth fund that would distribute AI-generated economic gains to ordinary Americans. The proposal is voluntary and not a government mandate or tax. OpenAI’s leadership, including Sam Altman, views this as the best way to share AI benefits with the public. They have suggested that other major US AI companies could make similar contributions, though their participation is still uncertain. The plan also addresses political concerns and public dissatisfaction regarding AI’s societal impact, such as labor market disruption and infrastructure strain. The fund would operate similarly to the Alaska Permanent Fund, investing proceeds and distributing benefits to citizens. As OpenAI prepares for an IPO, this proposal is part of broader efforts to ensure the public benefits from AI-driven economic growth.