OpenAI has agreed to offer the U.S. government a 5% equity stake in the company, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. The deal represents a significant retreat from Senator Bernie Sanders' earlier demand for a larger ownership position in the AI company.
Sam Altman, OpenAI's chief executive, is in active discussions with the Trump administration over the arrangement. The 5% stake would give the federal government a minority ownership position in one of the world's most valuable AI companies, though specifics about valuation, governance rights, and whether this stake includes voting power remain unclear.
Sanders had previously pushed for the government to acquire a more substantial equity position in OpenAI, arguing that public investment and risk-taking should translate into meaningful ownership. The senator's position reflected broader concerns about AI companies receiving public support while remaining privately controlled.
The negotiations signal the Trump administration's interest in deepening ties with OpenAI as artificial intelligence becomes central to national competitiveness and security strategy. OpenAI has already benefited from federal interest, including discussions around AI infrastructure development and research partnerships.
The 5% figure suggests a compromise between government oversight ambitions and OpenAI's desire to maintain operational independence and control. Such an arrangement would give regulators visibility into the company's operations and board decisions without forcing structural changes to OpenAI's management or strategic direction.
This development comes as the AI sector faces increasing scrutiny over governance, safety protocols, and the concentration of power among a handful of companies. How the government exercises its ownership stake, whether through board representation or voting rights, will shape how closely Washington can influence OpenAI's future decisions on AI safety, deployment, and commercial partnerships.
The deal's formal completion awaits further negotiation, but the framework appears set unless substantial obstacles emerge in coming weeks.