'It would make 'em rich': Trump looks to secure government stake in US AI giants (www.techradar.com)

In a bold move signaling a potential shift in relationships between AI companies and the government, President Trump has initiated discussions to secure equity stakes in major AI firms, including OpenAI. This idea, inspired by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s vision articulated back in 2025, aims to create a Public Wealth Fund that could redistribute the economic benefits of AI technologies to American citizens. Trump asserted that this partnership could enhance public perception of AI by directly linking citizen prosperity to the success of these companies, suggesting, "It would make 'em rich." The implications of this approach could be significant for the AI/ML community, raising questions about the potential for state ownership in private enterprises and the ethical considerations surrounding such partnerships. By potentially mandating AI firms to donate equity to the government, the administration's strategy not only seeks to foster innovation but also aims to ensure that advancements in AI are reflective of national interest and benefit. Meanwhile, industry leaders like Anthropic’s Jack Clark express support for ongoing collaborations with the government, highlighting a growing trend of AI companies engaging in national security dialogues, which could reshape both the landscape of AI governance and its societal impact.