Sam Altman Proposes Government Stake in OpenAI Through Public Wealth Fund Model
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has pitched a plan to give the U.S. government an equity stake in his company, structured as a "Public Wealth Fund" that would distribute returns directly to American citizens. The proposal combines elements of Alaska's Permanent Fund with Trump Accounts and has drawn bipartisan interest, including support from Senator Bernie Sanders. President Trump indicated he may discuss similar arrangements with major AI firms this week, framing it as a way for Americans to benefit from AI's success.
Sam Altman has proposed ceding equity in OpenAI to the Trump administration through a hybrid model inspired by Alaska's Permanent Fund and Trump Accounts. Under this "Public Wealth Fund" structure, OpenAI would donate equity with returns flowing directly to U.S. citizens. The proposal, first detailed by OpenAI in April, has attracted bipartisan support—Altman recently met with Senator Bernie Sanders, who has endorsed a similar concept. President Trump told reporters Friday that he may discuss comparable arrangements with major AI companies as soon as this week, emphasizing that "the American people can benefit from the success of AI." The exact timing and participants of any such meeting remain unclear.
What's missing
The article does not specify what percentage of equity Altman originally offered, the financial mechanics of how returns would be distributed to citizens, or details on how such an arrangement would be structured legally and tax-wise.
What different sources said
- SemaforCenter
Inside Altman’s pitch on government AI stake
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