OpenAI is in talks with the US government to give it a 5% stake in the company, valued at over $40 billion, as a way to share AI profits with the public and potentially soften political pushback. The proposal, which could involve other AI companies, is still in its early stages and may require an act of Congress to implement. CEO Sam Altman has been negotiating with top government officials, including President Trump, and has also spoken with Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders, who is pushing for a much larger public stake. Why it matters: this move could set a significant precedent for how AI companies interact with governments and distribute their profits, with major implications for the future of the industry.