OpenAI CEO Sam Altman proposed giving 5% of company equity to a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, Financial Times reported July 2, 2026, citing two people familiar with the matter.
At reported 40 billion.
Other leading U.S. AI developers would contribute similar stakes — unclear if Anthropic, Google, Meta would agree.
Vehicle modeled on Alaska Permanent Fund — state-owned corporation investing oil revenue, paying dividends to residents.
Altman discussed with President Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Also spoke with Senator Bernie Sanders, who advocates ~50% public stake via sovereign wealth fund legislation.
Talks preliminary and conceptual; likely requires congressional approval.
OpenAI and White House declined comment. Builds on April “public wealth fund” proposal for citizen stakes in AI-driven growth.
Purpose per FT: secure administration relations and address political blowback over concentrated AI profits.