OpenAI has discussed giving the US government a five percent ownership stake as the artificial intelligence giant seeks to smooth relations with the Trump administration, the Financial Times reported Thursday. CEO Sam Altman has argued that giving the public a financial stake in the $852 billion company is the best way to share the benefits of AI. According to the report, citing people familiar with the talks, Altman has raised the idea in conversations with White House officials including President Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The proposed arrangement would see other leading US AI companies hand over a similar stake, with OpenAI suggesting each developer allot five percent of their equity to a special investment vehicle, modeled on the Alaska Permanent Fund. The talks were described as in early stages, with any deal potentially requiring an act of Congress. AI companies have faced growing political headwinds in Washington as lawmakers and the public raise concerns about massive data center construction, job displacement and cybersecurity risks. Trump on June 2 said he intended to meet top artificial intelligence firms to discuss the possibility of the government taking a stake in their companies.