OpenAI will not be going public in 2026, according to CEO Sam Altman in an interview with Fortune. He believes that the current climate is an "ill-advised moment" for an IPO due to ongoing safety concerns surrounding artificial intelligence.
When asked if the delay might extend to the following year, he responded:
"I would say not 2026. Yes, we have a lot of work ahead, such as ensuring compliance with safety requirements and understanding how the industry and governments can collaborate."
Altman stated that OpenAI does not feel pressured to list its shares and will revisit the idea when both the business environment and public context are conducive.
He also mentioned that OpenAI has considered pausing the development of models when they reach new capabilities to allow more time for safety improvements. Altman suggested that leading AI firms might come together to agree on measures to slow down development and mitigate risks.
The possibility of such decisions is linked to OpenAI's corporate structure, which is split between nonprofit and commercial sectors. He emphasized that this model allows for actions that may not always be in the best interest of the business or shareholders, but align with the organization's mission.
In June, OpenAI filed a confidential S-1 form with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a potential IPO. The New York Times reported that the IPO might be postponed until 2027. According to the publication and Reuters, the company's potential valuation could reach $1 trillion.
Additionally, a U.S. Senate subcommittee has initiated an investigation into OpenAI's actions following an incident with Hugging Face in July.