Sam Altman Proposes 5% OpenAI Share Donation to Public A.I. Fund
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 21
Sam Altman Proposes 5% OpenAI Share Donation to Public A.I. Fund
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 21
Summary
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has proposed donating 5% of the company to a public wealth fund, with returns distributed to citizens and other A.I. companies urged to follow.
At OpenAI’s latest $852 billion private valuation, that stake would be worth about $42.6 billion, framing the idea as a way to spread gains from A.I.-driven growth.
The proposal comes as the Trump administration has already taken $26.7 billion in equity stakes in 30 companies and plans about $14 billion more through subsidized “Trump Accounts” for children.
A broader version covering leading A.I. companies such as Nvidia, Alphabet and Microsoft could exceed $1 trillion, intensifying debate over whether public ownership or taxation is the better response to A.I.-linked job disruption.
Will a public wealth fund from A.I. shares truly distribute prosperity or just manage public fears about technology?
As the U.S. government buys stakes in private firms, is it building a stronger economy or distorting the market?
Sharing AI’s Wealth: OpenAI’s 5% Equity Offer and the Push for a U.S. Public AI Fund
Overview
In July 2026, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, proposed donating 5% of OpenAI’s equity to a U.S. government-run Public AI Fund. This move aims to secure better relations with the government and address growing political concerns about the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. The proposal comes amid widespread public anxiety over AI’s impact, including fears of unemployment and the concentration of wealth and power. By offering a direct public stake, OpenAI hopes to share AI’s benefits more broadly and ease fears about the technology’s societal effects, while also navigating a complex political and regulatory landscape.