OpenAI IPO will not happen in 2026 amid AI safety fears, Altman says

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stated that the company will not go public in 2026, citing safety concerns related to artificial intelligence. In a recent interview with Fortune, Altman emphasized that the current moment is not suitable for a public offering due to the pressing need to address AI safety and alignment issues. Growing calls from U.S. lawmakers for new regulations on AI systems have increased since researchers from rival company Anthropic warned of potential existential risks posed by rapidly advancing AI technology.

These warnings have been met with alarm among politicians from both major parties, who are urging for more action to be taken. OpenAI was reportedly considering delaying its highly anticipated IPO, which was valued at a potential trillion dollars, until next year. Altman also hinted at the possibility of an agreement among leading AI companies to slow down development and collaborate on safety risks.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently called for a more deliberate pace in AI model improvements, urging companies to prioritize safety. Despite these concerns, Anthropic's IPO plans are still on track to begin marketing in mid-October, before the U.S. midterm elections in November.