OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has proposed transferring 5% of the company’s equity to a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, according to reports from the Financial Times. The move suggests a broader strategy where other artificial intelligence firms would contribute similar stakes to secure political goodwill and manage regulatory pressure. President Donald Trump previously indicated interest in having the American public partner with these companies, though no specific figures were provided at that time. The discussions remain preliminary and would likely require congressional approval before any formal action could be taken.
This proposal aligns with earlier policy papers from OpenAI which argued for public funds investing directly in AI labs to distribute returns to citizens. It also mirrors legislation introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders which would tax 50% of stock from systemically important AI firms. Both approaches aim to ensure wider participation in the financial growth generated by artificial intelligence technology.
- Formal implementation would require approval from the U.S. Congress.
- Senator Sanders’ bill allows non-AI business segments to be spun off to avoid taxation.
- OpenAI’s policy paper suggests distributing returns directly to the public.
