OpenAI is in early talks to sell a 5% stake of its ChatGPT developer to the U.S. government, sources say. CEO Sam Altman argues that a public share would let Americans share AI’s upside and smooth relations with the Trump administration. The Financial Times cites two insiders, noting the proposal could extend to peers such as Anthropic, Google and Meta in the tech sector.

Altman and other OpenAI executives have floated using a sovereign‑wealth vehicle like the Alaska Permanent Fund to hold the shares, mirroring how oil revenues fund state dividends. A similar contribution from other U.S. AI firms could require congressional legislation to address bipartisan concerns. The idea follows recent pressure from Washington, including Anthropic’s temporary model shutdown after a security order.

If enacted, the arrangement would give every citizen a slice of AI‑driven growth, a point Altman raised in a recent policy paper. Investors see the move as a hedge against regulatory risk as both OpenAI and Anthropic prepare U.S. IPOs that could value them above $1 trillion. The talks remain conceptual; no formal agreement exists yet for fiscal transparency.