OpenAI's IPO Plans Delayed: CEO Sam Altman Cites Safety Concerns
By Editor • September 12, 2026 • 1 min read
In a recent interview, OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman revealed that the company is stepping back from its initial plans to go public in 2026. Instead, he emphasized the importance of readiness in both the business and societal context of artificial intelligence before considering an IPO.
During a discussion with Fortune's Alyson Shontell, Altman addressed the ongoing pressures surrounding AI safety and the recent hacking incident involving OpenAI and HuggingFace. He stated, "We’re not rushing into an IPO. I actually think that given everything happening with safety, right now would be an ill-advised moment to go public." This statement underscores OpenAI's commitment to prioritizing safety over rapid growth.
Although the company had previously engaged bankers and legal advisors in anticipation of a public offering, Altman made it clear that 2026 is off the table. “We’ve got a lot of stuff to do,” he added, indicating that the timeline for an IPO may be pushed back even further, potentially until 2027, amid the current volatility in tech stocks and ongoing financial challenges.
Source: techcrunch.com
