OpenAI in talks to give US government a 5% stake, FT reports

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has opened preliminary talks to give the US government a 5% stake in the company. The Financial Times reported the talks on July 17, 2026, citing two people familiar with the discussions.

What we know about the talks

According to the FT's sources, the discussions are at an early stage. The exact form of the stake has not been determined: it could be a direct equity holding, warrants, or some other type of ownership. OpenAI and US government officials declined to comment.

• The talks concern a 5% stake in OpenAI
• Negotiations are at a preliminary stage, and final terms may change
• The report comes from the Financial Times, citing two people familiar with the matter
• OpenAI develops ChatGPT and is one of the biggest players in the generative AI market

Why does the government want a stake in OpenAI?

Direct government ownership in strategically important tech companies is no longer new in the US. The administration previously converted part of the subsidies granted under the CHIPS Act into equity in chipmaker Intel, taking a stake of around 10%. OpenAI's valuation in its latest funding rounds runs into the hundreds of billions of dollars, and Washington views the company as a major factor in US competitiveness in the AI race with China.

For OpenAI, such a deal could tie the company more closely to government interests, from access to power capacity for data centers to a role in defense and infrastructure projects. At the same time, it could bring more political oversight of the company's business.

What it means

If the talks end in a deal, OpenAI will become one of the first major private AI labs with the US government as a direct shareholder. That precedent could set a template for Washington's future relationships with other leading AI companies.