Sam Altman Rules Out OpenAI IPO in 2026, Cites AI Safety As The Reason

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has announced that the company will not go public in 2026, citing the current state of AI safety as the primary reason. Speaking to Fortune, Altman stated, "Given everything happening with safety, right now would be an ill-advised moment to go public." When asked directly about a 2026 listing, Altman reiterated his stance, saying, "I would say not 2026."

He emphasized that the company is focused on addressing safety and alignment concerns, as well as fostering collaboration between industry and governments. The remarks contradict earlier reports suggesting OpenAI might delay its IPO until 2027, a timeline that Altman now confirms. Altman described the decision as a matter of institutional focus rather than financial necessity, noting that OpenAI and other leading AI companies may soon announce a coordinated agreement to work on safety and potentially slow down AI development industry-wide.

This follows Altman's endorsement of an essay by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who also called for AI companies to pace the growth of their capabilities. The alignment between Altman and Amodei comes amid growing concerns over the risks of rapidly advancing AI systems and calls for stronger regulatory oversight in Washington. Anthropic, meanwhile, appears to be proceeding with its own IPO plans, with an expected listing in October.