OpenAI is in discussions to grant the US government a 5% equity stake in the company, a move aimed at defusing mounting political pressure in Washington.
The proposal, first reported by the Financial Times, represents a significant pivot in the relationship between private AI developers and federal authorities.
The offer comes as artificial intelligence firms face increasing scrutiny over the potential misuse of advanced models and concerns about national security.
By providing the government with a direct ownership interest, OpenAI appears to be seeking a mechanism to align its incentives with public policy goals while mitigating the risk of more aggressive regulatory intervention.
This development marks a departure from the traditional arms-length relationship between tech giants and the state.
It suggests that access to capital and regulatory stability may increasingly require tangible concessions from industry leaders.