OpenAI is delaying plans for a major initial public offering (IPO) amid urgent demands for artificial intelligence safety progress.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says the AI titan feels no pressure to rush ahead with the offering now.
He stressed that OpenAI will pursue an IPO only when the business, the company, and the broader societal context around the technology align properly.
“I actually think that, given everything happening with safety, right now would be an ill-advised moment to go public, and we don’t feel pressure on that.”
When asked specifically about 2026, he ruled it out firmly.
“I would say not 2026. Yeah, we got a lot of stuff to do, like meeting this moment of what is going to be required for safety and alignment, and how the industry and governments can work together.”
Altman noted that the company is focused on prioritizing safety over tapping into the public market’s liquidity.
“Society needs to contend with these models at each level of capability.”
Altman highlighted the company’s unique governance structure as enabling mission-driven choices over pure shareholder interests.
“We have put up with this incredibly complicated structure for a long time, and this moment that we’re in now is kind of why… We need to be able to make decisions that are not obviously in the interest of our business and our shareholders for the responsibility of fulfilling our mission and what that’s going to require.”
The decision follows a June 2026 New York Times report suggesting a possible delay to 2027, with the company potentially valued at $1 trillion.
Market volatility from events like the SpaceX IPO, which raised $85 billion, also factored into considerations.
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