OpenAI proposed 5% stake for US government
OpenAI considered offering the US government a 5% ownership stake to mitigate concerns and public backlash regarding artificial intelligence, according to reports.
OpenAI, the artificial intelligence research firm, reportedly floated the idea of granting the US government a 5% ownership stake as a strategy to de-escalate tensions with the Trump administration and address growing public criticism of AI technologies.
The proposal, detailed by the Financial Times and citing unnamed sources, suggests that CEO Sam Altman believed offering the public a financial interest would be the most effective method for sharing the economic benefits derived from AI advancements. Altman is said to have initially presented this concept to former President Trump early last year.
While the specific valuation dynamics are complex, the suggested 5% stake would represent a substantial financial commitment based on OpenAI's most recent funding rounds, which have valued the company at billions of dollars.
The move appears to be an attempt by OpenAI to preemptively engage with regulatory bodies and the broader public, acknowledging the significant societal implications and potential economic impact of advanced AI.