OpenAI discusses possible U.S. government stake as AI policy talks advance

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OpenAI government stake talks

Highlights

OpenAI and White House officials are discussing a possible arrangement in which the company could donate equity to the U.S. government, tied to a 'Public Wealth Fund' proposal.
President Donald Trump has directed the creation of a sovereign wealth fund and taken federal stakes in Intel and IBM, setting a policy precedent for a potential OpenAI deal.
OpenAI, valued at more than $850 billion and fresh off a record MGX-led funding round, is preparing for a potential IPO as government-AI relations intensify.

Potential structure of a government stake

As first reported by Notus, OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman and White House officials are discussing a possible arrangement under which the company could donate equity to the U.S. government. The recent talks continue this week as Altman meets lawmakers and administration officials in Washington, D.C., on AI regulation and industry developments.

According to a person familiar with the matter, Altman first raised the idea with the Trump administration in 2025, and no formal investment terms have been decided. The potential structure is tied to OpenAI's April policy proposal for a "Public Wealth Fund," which the company says could invest in diversified long-term assets and potentially distribute returns to citizens so they can participate in AI-driven growth.

Policy backdrop and market implications

President Donald Trump signs an executive order in February directing the federal government to establish a sovereign wealth fund. The administration also takes stakes in Intel, International Business Machines and other quantum and critical mineral companies during Trump's second term, providing a policy backdrop for a possible OpenAI transaction.

Sen. Bernie Sanders tells CNBC that he and Altman discuss the concept of a sovereign wealth fund during their meeting on Wednesday. OpenAI is valued at more than $850 billion by private investors, closed a record funding round in March co-led by MGX, which is backed by Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund, and is preparing for a possible initial public offering as soon as this year.

AI companies remain central to the White House's approach to the sector. Trump on Tuesday signs another executive order asking AI companies to voluntarily give the government access to their models for up to 30 days before release, and executives from major AI companies, including Altman, voice support for the measure on social media.

Our earlier coverage of Intel (INTC) focused on the company’s AI and data-center push—highlighting new rackscale AI infrastructure, Xeon 6+ CPUs, and expanded partnerships including a multi-year collaboration with Hitachi spanning AI, quantum computing, and energy efficiency. We also noted that, despite these strategic moves, Intel’s stock was under heavy short-term selling pressure, with key technical levels and volatility shaping near-term trader expectations.

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