OpenAI proposes donating 5% equity to a US sovereign wealth fund

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has proposed donating 5% of the company’s equity to a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, according to a report from the Financial Times on Thursday. The proposal, which remains preliminary, is intended to secure favorable relations with the administration and address potential political backlash, sources familiar with the matter told the FT. Similar discussions were reported by CNBC in June and later confirmed by President Trump, who mentioned concepts where pieces of AI companies could be given to the American public, making them partners in the firms.

Background and context

The idea of a public AI fund has been circulating for months. In June, CNBC reported that Altman had discussed the concept with lawmakers, though no specific equity percentage was mentioned at the time. President Trump later confirmed the discussions, saying he had talked about “concepts where pieces could be given to the American public, where the American public essentially becomes a partner with the companies.” The FT’s latest report provides the first specific figure: 5% of OpenAI’s equity, with the expectation that other AI companies would contribute similar stakes.

How the fund would work

Under the proposal, the donated equity would be placed into a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, which would then distribute returns to American citizens. OpenAI has increasingly detailed its vision for such a fund. In April, the company released a policy paper titled “Industrial Policy for the Intelligence Age,” which proposed a public wealth fund that could invest directly in AI labs and companies deploying their technology. The document stated that returns from the fund could be distributed directly to citizens, allowing more people to participate in the upside of AI-driven growth regardless of their starting wealth or access to capital.

The proposal faces significant hurdles. Any formal action would likely require congressional approval, which would complicate the matter considerably. The FT noted that the talks remain preliminary and that significant questions remain about the specifics of the donation structure.

Comparison with legislative proposals

A more aggressive version of the policy was proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in June. His bill, the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, calls for a one-time 50% tax on AI company stock, with the collected shares deposited into a public wealth fund. The legislation would apply to all “systemically important” AI companies, including those dealing with data centers, infrastructure, or robotics. Under the Sanders proposal, companies like Google and SpaceX that include AI as only part of their business would be allowed to spin off non-AI portions to avoid taxation. The bill has yet to advance to committee.

Why this matters

The proposal represents a significant shift in how the economic benefits of AI could be distributed. If implemented, it would create a mechanism for the public to directly benefit from the growth of AI companies, potentially addressing concerns about wealth concentration and inequality. The discussion also reflects the growing influence of AI companies in Washington and the administration’s interest in shaping AI policy. However, the preliminary nature of the talks and the need for congressional approval mean that any actual fund remains uncertain.

Conclusion

OpenAI’s proposal to donate 5% of its equity to a U.S. sovereign wealth fund is the latest development in an ongoing discussion about how to share the economic benefits of AI with the public. While the talks remain preliminary and face significant political and legal hurdles, the idea has gained traction among policymakers and industry leaders. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the AI industry and the distribution of wealth generated by artificial intelligence.

FAQs

Q1: What exactly is OpenAI proposing?
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has proposed donating 5% of the company’s equity to a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, with the expectation that other AI companies would contribute similar stakes. The fund would distribute returns to American citizens.

Q2: Is this proposal likely to become law?
The talks remain preliminary, and any formal action would likely require congressional approval, which would significantly complicate the matter. The proposal faces considerable political and legal hurdles.

Q3: How does this compare to Senator Sanders’ proposal?
Senator Bernie Sanders has proposed a more aggressive approach: a one-time 50% tax on AI company stock, with the collected shares deposited into a public wealth fund. His bill would apply to all systemically important AI companies.