OpenAI Weighs Giving US Government 5% Stake to Ease AI Rules

OpenAI is considering handing the U.S. government a 5% equity stake as a way to soften regulatory scrutiny and win support from the incoming Trump administration, the Financial Times reported Monday.

The proposal would give Washington a direct ownership position in the closely held artificial intelligence company. Any stake would likely come with governance rights, though the exact structure remains under discussion, people familiar with the matter told the FT.

The move is an unusual bid by a prominent AI developer to align itself with government interests at a time when both parties are crafting rules for the technology. President-elect Donald Trump has signaled a lighter-touch regulatory approach than the Biden administration. Lawmakers in both chambers have introduced competing bills on AI safety, transparency and national security.

A direct government stake would give Washington a financial interest in OpenAI's success. That could soften enforcement actions or procurement restrictions. Critics argue it could create a moral hazard, where regulatory decisions benefit a single private firm at the expense of competitors.

OpenAI has already faced pressure from regulators in Europe and the U.S. over its data practices and the safety of its models. The company has said it welcomes clear rules. It has also lobbied against what it views as overly prescriptive regulation.

The FT report did not specify what valuation the 5% stake would represent. OpenAI was valued at roughly $80 billion in a February tender offer. At that price, a 5% stake would be worth around $4 billion.

The Trump transition team had no immediate comment. An OpenAI spokesperson declined to discuss the proposal in detail, citing the confidential nature of the discussions.

If the deal proceeds, it would mark the first time the U.S. government holds equity in a major AI lab. Similar models exist in other strategic industries. The U.S. took a stake in General Motors during the 2009 bailout. It holds minority positions in some defense contractors through classified programs.

The proposal comes as OpenAI restructures its nonprofit governance and seeks new capital. The company has already raised over $11 billion from Microsoft and other investors.

Regulatory experts said the equity approach could accelerate rulemaking. "If the U.S. government is a shareholder, it has a different set of incentives," said Sarah Kreps, a Cornell University professor who studies AI policy. "It's no longer just a regulator looking at risk; it's also a beneficiary of returns."

Critics counter that the arrangement could entrench OpenAI's market position. Smaller AI developers already complain about the company's access to capital and data. A government stake would add a layer of institutional backing that rivals could not match.

The discussions are at an early stage and could fall apart, the FT report said. No formal proposal has been presented to Congress or the Treasury Department.

For the AI sector, the outcome could set a precedent for how the federal government interacts with technology firms. If the OpenAI stake goes through, other companies may face pressure to offer similar terms in exchange for favorable treatment. If it stalls, the industry will watch whether regulators return to a more adversarial posture.

The FT said the proposal is being weighed internally at OpenAI. No timeline for a decision was given.