Sam Altman says this is an 'ill-advised' time to IPO, given safety concerns
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stated that the company will not pursue an IPO in 2026 due to ongoing concerns regarding AI safety. Altman emphasized the need to prioritize safety and responsible development over shareholder interests during this critical period.
Why it matters
This decision signals a major shift in the AI industry's approach to commercialization, highlighting the tension between rapid growth and the ethical risks of advanced AI models.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in light of recent safety incidents, he may not take his company public this year. Matt RAMEY / AFP via Getty Images Sam Altman said OpenAI won't go public in 2026 amid mounting AI safety concerns. Altman said an IPO now would make it harder to prioritize safety over shareholders. OpenAI had been preparing for a possible September IPO. Sam Altman says now is not a good time. In a Fortune interview that aired on Saturday, OpenAI's CEO said that "given everything that's happening with safety," he doesn't expect to take his company public this year. "Right now would be an ill-advised moment to go public," he said. When Fortune's editor in chief, Alyson Shontell, asked if that meant Altman wouldn't take OpenAI public in 2026 and 2027, Altman replied, "I would say not 2026."
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