OpenAI: In early talks to give 5% stake to US Government
OpenAI has confirmed it is in early discussions with the US government about giving it a 5% stake in the company. The move is part of CEO Sam Altman's broader push to align the AI firm's governance with public interest and national security concerns.
Background
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is reportedly discussing giving the US government a 5% stake in the company — not shares in the current for-profit entity, but equity in a planned "Public Benefit Corporation" (PBC) that would oversee the firm's commercial operations. The move comes as OpenAI restructures from a capped-profit nonprofit to a for-profit corporation, a process that has raised questions about control and public interest. Sam Altman is OpenAI's CEO. The proposal would give the US government a formal seat at the table (likely via a special class of shares or board representation), potentially tying national security interests to the company's governance. This is unprecedented for a major AI developer and reflects the growing view that advanced AI systems may become critical national infrastructure requiring direct government oversight.