Sam Altman Rules Out OpenAI IPO in 2026

cryptonews.ruPublished on 2026-09-13Last updated on 2026-09-13

Abstract

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stated that the company will not conduct an initial public offering (IPO) in 2026, deeming the current time an "unfortunate moment" due to AI safety concerns. He clarified there is no pressure to list and the company will reconsider when both the business and public context are ready. Altman also mentioned internal discussions about pausing model development at certain capability milestones to allow more time for safety work, suggesting that leading AI companies might agree on coordinated steps to slow development and mitigate risks. He linked this potential for mission-aligned decisions to OpenAI's unique corporate structure, which balances non-profit and for-profit arms. Reports indicate OpenAI confidentially filed for a possible IPO with the SEC in June, with speculation of a potential delay to 2027 and a valuation that could reach $1 trillion.

OpenAI will not go public in 2026, stated the company's CEO Sam Altman in an interview with Fortune. In his opinion, now is an "unfortunate moment" for an IPO due to AI safety concerns.

When asked if this meant postponing the stock listing by a year, he responded:

"I would say not 2026. Yes, we have a lot of work ahead, for example, to meet safety and alignment requirements, and to understand how the industry and governments can cooperate."

According to Altman, OpenAI is not under pressure regarding the listing and will return to it when both the business and the public context are ready.

He also said that OpenAI has discussed possible pauses in model development when reaching new capability levels to gain additional time for safety work. Altman suggested that leading AI companies might agree on joint steps to slow down development and reduce risks.

The CEO of OpenAI linked the possibility of such decisions to the company's corporate structure, which is divided between non-profit and for-profit parts. He emphasized that this model allows taking steps that are not always beneficial for business and shareholders but align with the mission.

In June, OpenAI confidentially submitted a Form S-1 filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a potential IPO. The New York Times reported a possible postponement of the stock listing to 2027. According to the publication, as well as Reuters, the potential valuation of the company could reach $1 trillion.

Recall that a U.S. Senate subcommittee began an investigation into OpenAI's actions following the July incident with Hugging Face.

Related Questions

QWhy did Sam Altman rule out an IPO for OpenAI in 2026?

ASam Altman stated that it was an 'unfortunate moment' for an IPO due to concerns about AI safety, and the company needs to focus on meeting safety and alignment requirements.

QWhat corporate structure of OpenAI allows it to take actions not always beneficial to business, according to Altman?

AAccording to Altman, OpenAI's corporate structure, which is split between a non-profit and a for-profit part, allows it to take steps aligned with its mission, even if they are not always profitable for the business or shareholders.

QWhat was the reported potential valuation of OpenAI for a possible IPO, according to Reuters and The New York Times?

AAccording to Reuters and The New York Times, OpenAI's potential valuation for a possible IPO could reach $1 trillion.

QWhat did Sam Altman say regarding leading AI companies potentially slowing down development?

ASam Altman suggested that leading AI companies could agree on joint steps to slow down development in order to reduce risks, and OpenAI has discussed pausing model development at new capability levels to allow more time for safety work.

QWhat recent event prompted a US Senate subcommittee to initiate a review of OpenAI's actions?

AA US Senate subcommittee initiated a review of OpenAI's actions following a July incident involving Hugging Face.

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