The US government wants a piece of the AI boom. Not just as a regulator or cheerleader, but as an actual shareholder.
President Donald Trump revealed on June 5 that his administration plans to investigate the possibility of the federal government taking equity stakes in major artificial intelligence companies. The announcement, made aboard Air Force One, signals a significant shift in how Washington views its relationship with the tech sector: less arms-length oversight, more co-ownership.
A meeting with top AI executives is expected at the White House in the coming week to discuss feasibility. The companies reportedly in the conversation include OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI, all of which have been preparing for public offerings.
From regulator to investor
Discussions between the administration and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on the concept of government investment in AI firms date back to 2025. Altman initially proposed the idea, and it apparently found a receptive audience.
