OpenAI has reportedly proposed giving the U.S. government a 5% stake in the company, a move that would value the holding at about $42.6 billion and mark an unprecedented shift in the relationship between Washington and one of the world’s most influential AI companies.

According to the Financial Times, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has argued in early discussions with the Trump administration that giving the public a direct financial interest in the company would be the most effective way to ensure Americans benefit from the rapid growth of artificial intelligence. People familiar with the talks said the proposal forms part of a broader effort to ease growing political scrutiny of the AI industry in Washington.

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A Big Bet On Shared Upside

The proposal follows OpenAI’s record funding round in March, which valued the company at $852 billion on a post-money basis. At that valuation, a 5% equity stake would be worth approximately $42.6 billion, potentially giving the U.S. government a substantial financial return if the company continues to grow.

Whether the Trump administration is willing to pursue the proposal remains unclear. Neither the White House nor OpenAI immediately responded to CNBC’s requests for comment.

A New Model For AI Policy?

According to the Financial Times, the idea extends beyond OpenAI. The proposal reportedly envisions other leading U.S. artificial intelligence companies offering similar equity stakes to the government, although it remains uncertain whether competing AI developers would be prepared to follow that approach.

If adopted more broadly, the model would represent a significant departure from traditional U.S. technology policy. Rather than acting solely as a regulator, the government would also become a financial stakeholder in one of the country’s most strategically important industries.

Part Of A Longer Conversation

The latest discussions build on conversations that have been taking place for more than a year. CNBC previously reported that Altman first raised the possibility of a government stake with the Trump administration in early 2025.

OpenAI expanded on that idea in April by proposing the creation of a public wealth fund that would hold investments linked to AI companies and distribute part of the sector’s economic gains more broadly.

Government Ownership Is Not Without Precedent

Although unusual for the AI industry, government equity ownership is not without precedent. The U.S. government currently holds a 10% stake in Intel after investing $8.9 billion in the semiconductor company’s common stock. In May, President Donald Trump said he should have sought an even larger ownership stake, and in June he described U.S. holdings in AI companies as “a beautiful thing” that would make Americans “partners in this revolution.”

Taken together, the proposal suggests OpenAI is trying to reshape its relationship with policymakers as artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly strategic issue. Offering the government a direct share in the company’s future growth could help align public and private interests while easing concerns over the concentration of power within the AI industry.