OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and officials at the White House are in ongoing talks about a possible government equity stake in the AI startup, CNBC reported.
The discussions have been under way for more than a year, after Altman first raised the idea with the Trump administration in 2025. The plan would see OpenAI donating shares to seed a "Public Wealth Fund" outlined in its April policy paper, a vehicle meant to invest in diversified, long‑term assets and allow citizens to share in AI’s upside. No investment terms have been set and details remain fluid.
President Trump referenced the concept on Air Force One, saying the public could become a partner and that meetings with AI firms are imminent. The administration has already signed an executive order to create a sovereign wealth fund and to accelerate AI adoption, while also asking companies to grant limited pre‑release model access. OpenAI, valued at over $850 billion and eyeing a possible IPO this year, closed a record funding round in March backed by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign fund.
