U.S. government reportedly weighing financial stake in AI companies

Summary

Kate Rooney reports that the U.S. government is considering taking an equity stake in OpenAI and possibly other AI giants, a concept discussed between Sam Altman and the Trump administration for over a year. Altman has floated donating equity to an AI fund, and Senator Bernie Sanders has proposed a 50% government stake. Other governments already hold stakes in OpenAI and Anthropic.

• The U.S. government is reportedly considering a direct equity stake in OpenAI and other AI companies.
• CEO Sam Altman and the Trump administration have discussed the idea for more than a year.
• Altman first proposed the concept in 2025 when Trump initially took office.
• OpenAI would donate a portion of its equity to a possible AI fund.
• Senator Bernie Sanders pitched a 50% government stake in AI companies.
• Other governments around the world are already invested in OpenAI and Anthropic.
• The U.S. government has taken direct equity stakes in Intel, IBM, GlobalFoundries, critical mineral, and quantum companies.
• The proposal aims to let Americans participate in AI's financial upside amid job loss anxiety.