OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has reportedly floated a striking proposal. He suggested giving 5% of the company’s equity to a US sovereign wealth fund. According to reports, the donation would be meant to “secure good relations with the administration and … address political blowback.”
Under the proposal, other AI companies would donate similar stakes. The idea is to let the public share in the financial gains from AI. However, significant questions remain about the specifics.
The concept surfaced in earlier reporting too as CNBC reported similar discussions back in June. President Donald Trump later confirmed them publicly. He described concepts where pieces could be given to the American public, which would make citizens partners with the companies.
The talks remain preliminary, though. Any formal action would likely require congressional approval. That step would significantly complicate the entire matter. No final structure has been agreed upon yet.Altman has publicly discussed the public AI fund idea before. OpenAI has grown more specific in its proposals over time. In April, it released a policy paper on the concept. The paper proposed a public wealth fund investing directly in AI firms.
The document laid out a clear vision for returns. It said fund returns could be distributed directly to citizens. That would let more people share in AI-driven growth. It would apply regardless of their starting wealth or capital access.
A more aggressive version came from Senator Bernie Sanders. He proposed a one-time 50% tax on AI company stock in June. The collected shares would go into a public wealth fund. His bill would target all systemically important AI companies. That bill has yet to advance to committee, however. The debate reflects growing scrutiny of who benefits from AI.
For now, OpenAI’s proposal remains an early-stage idea.
