OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has initiated preliminary discussions regarding the transfer of 5 percent of its equity to the US government.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing reports from the Financial Times, OpenAI has proposed that other major artificial intelligence corporations in the country adopt a similar measure.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and the company's leadership argue that 5 percent of shares from leading AI firms should be transferred to a sovereign wealth fund, modeled after the Alaska Permanent Fund. The objective is to ensure that all US citizens benefit from the economic growth generated by advancements in artificial intelligence. The Alaska model, which invests oil revenues to pay dividends to state residents, is being cited as a primary example of this potential economic framework.
This proposal emerges at a time when the US government is tightening national security requirements for AI companies. Recently, Anthropic temporarily suspended the use of its latest AI model following government directives to restrict access for foreign nationals. Reports indicate that OpenAI leadership has held discussions on this matter with US President Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. While the proposal is currently in the conceptual stage, analysts note that any formal agreement would likely require approval from the US Congress.
The initiative also highlights the broader debate surrounding wealth distribution in the tech sector. Sam Altman has previously engaged in discussions with Senator Bernie Sanders, who has advocated for a 50 percent one-time tax on the shares of major AI companies to fund a sovereign wealth fund managed by an independent commission. As OpenAI and Anthropic prepare for potential initial public offerings (IPOs)—with market valuations projected to exceed $1 trillion—the question of how to distribute the immense economic gains of AI remains a central topic of policy debate in Washington.
