In Summary. Posted:. 1:19 PM PDT · September 12, 2026. Although OpenAI has applied confidentially for an IPO, the company will not be going public in 2021, as per CEO Sam Altman’s statement. In a recent interview with Fortune editor in chief Alyson Shontell, Altman addressed concerns about OpenAI’s IPO plans amidst the controversy surrounding the OpenAI-HuggingFace hack and broader conversations about AI safety. Shontell inquired if OpenAI still feels the need to proceed quickly due to its IPO intentions. Altman clarified, “We are not hurrying towards an IPO.” “Considering the current situation with safety concerns, I believe that going public at this time would not be advisable.” Contrary to that, he maintained that OpenAI will go public at a time when the business is prepared, the technology’s impact on society is understood, and the overall atmosphere is deemed appropriate. Upon being asked if that implies the IPO won’t occur in 2026, Altman responded, “Indeed, not in 2026.” “We have numerous tasks to complete.” In June, The New York Times stated that OpenAI, which had employed bankers and lawyers with the intention of going public in the final quarter of 2026 or the beginning of 2027, was considering postponing its plans until 2027. This decision was influenced by the unpredictability of tech stocks and the company’s financial difficulties.
