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

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stated in an interview with Fortune that the company will not go public in 2026 due to safety concerns surrounding artificial intelligence. Altman cited the rapidly progressing AI technology and its potential risks as reasons why now would be an ill-advised time for a public offering. Growing numbers of U.S. lawmakers are calling for new regulations to govern AI systems after warnings from researchers at Anthropic, another AI rival, about the potential for artificial intelligence to lead to human extinction.

Politicians from both parties have responded with alarm and calls for more action regarding AI safety. OpenAI was reportedly considering delaying its potentially trillion-dollar IPO until next year, with shares in Elon Musk's SpaceX experiencing a drop following a valuation surge that reached $1.8 trillion. Altman emphasized the importance of addressing safety and alignment issues within the industry and with governments, suggesting that OpenAI and other leading AI companies may soon announce an agreement to slow AI development and collaborate on safety risks.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has also called for a more deliberate approach to AI development, urging companies to slow the pace of model improvements to mitigate safety risks.