OpenAI floats giving Trump administration 5 percent cut of AI boom
Sam Altman just pitched Trump on giving the US government 5% of OpenAI. Here's what that stake is actually worth.
Why it matters
OpenAI is using equity ownership as a political shield against AI regulation and public backlash—a precedent-setting move that could reshape how tech giants navigate government relations in the AI era.
The key facts
7 to knowOpenAI pitched 5% US government ownership stake to Trump administration
CEO Sam Altman proposed idea to share AI upside with public via government equity
Pitch reportedly made early last year, now surfacing via Financial Times
OpenAI valued at $852B in latest funding round
5% stake would be worth approximately $42.6B based on latest valuation
Strategic move to ease tensions with Trump administration and blunt AI backlash
Sources: two unnamed people familiar with talks
Go to the source
The Verge AItheverge.com
Publisher excerpt: OpenAI has floated giving the US government a 5 percent ownership stake as a way of easing tensions with the Trump administration and blunting mounting public backlash against AI, according to the Financial Times. CEO Sam Altman argued that giving the public a financial interest in the company…