The discussions, which have occurred periodically since early 2025, center on the idea of companies voluntarily ceding shares to a public wealth fund.
The returns from these investments could then be distributed as dividends to American households, aimed at ensuring that the economic benefits of AI-driven growth are shared broadly across the public.
The proposal comes as leading AI developers face mounting public skepticism and prepare for significant initial public offerings.
Proponents of the plan suggest that direct public benefit could help mitigate anxiety over job displacement and ease local resistance to the infrastructure required for AI development.
The initiative aligns with a broader trend in the current administration toward partial government ownership of strategic companies, similar to a previous deal involving Intel that was touted as a windfall for taxpayers.
However, the potential for government ownership in the AI sector has drawn criticism from both sides of the political spectrum.
Policy experts warn of significant conflicts of interest, questioning the government's ability to impartially regulate an industry in which it holds a financial stake.
While some political figures have called for even larger public shares to prevent corporate monopolies, others argue that such interventions undermine free-market principles.
The legal framework for such an arrangement remains unclear, and officials caution that the discussions are still in the early stages.