OpenAI proposed donating 5% of its equity to a US sovereign wealth fund
TechCrunch • • business
Key Points:
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has proposed donating 5% of the company's equity to a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, with other AI companies potentially contributing similar stakes to foster good relations with the government and mitigate political backlash.
- The proposal is still in preliminary stages and would likely require congressional approval, adding complexity to the initiative.
- OpenAI has outlined ideas for a public AI fund in a policy paper, suggesting returns could be distributed directly to citizens to share in AI-driven economic growth.
- Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced a more aggressive bill proposing a one-time 50% tax on AI company stock to fund a public AI wealth fund, targeting major AI-related companies, but the bill has not yet progressed to committee.
- Discussions about public ownership stakes in AI companies have been ongoing, with President Trump previously acknowledging concepts of the American public becoming partners in AI firms.
