Breaking

OpenAI Proposes Donating 5% Equity to US Government Fund

July 2, 2026 at 11:25 EDT

Policy & Regulation
Funding & M&A

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has proposed donating 5% of the company's equity to a US federal sovereign wealth fund, a stake worth roughly $42.6 billion at current valuation, with preliminary talks underway that also envision similar contributions from other major AI firms.

July 2026 · OpenAI

OpenAI Floats Donating 5% of Its Equity to a U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund

Sam Altman's proposal would channel a stake into a public fund built on AI-company equity — returning gains from AI growth to the American public, and easing political friction with the Trump administration.

Equity OpenAI floats donating to a public fund

$800B+

Valuation OpenAI is reportedly pursuing

1+ yr

Discussions ongoing since early 2025

Two visions for an AI wealth fund

Same idea — share AI gains with the public — but a 10× gap in the stake at stake.

OpenAI

voluntary donation

50%

Sen. Sanders

50% tax on equity

OpenAI's proposal

Target: 5% of equity
Nature: Voluntary donation
Status: Preliminary, informal

Sen. Sanders' proposal

Target: 50% of equity
Nature: Taxation
Status: Introduced as a bill

How the fund would work

AI companies contribute equity

→

Public Wealth Fund invests in AI labs

→

Proceeds returned to citizens as dividends

Modeled loosely on Alaska's Permanent Fund. Formal implementation would likely require congressional approval.

Supporters say

The public directly shares in AI's gains — a politically pragmatic, moderate approach.

Critics say

Risks government control over firms; and 5% may be too little versus tougher tax plans.

Continue reading

The rest of this article is for AI News Blitz readers. Choose an option below to keep reading.