Sam Altman Says OpenAI Will Not Go Public in 2026

OpenAI is pushing back its path to Wall Street. CEO Sam Altman says the company will not go public in 2026, despite earlier preparations for a potential IPO.

In an interview with Fortune editor-in-chief Alyson Shontell, Altman said OpenAI is not rushing toward an IPO and believes the current moment, especially amid growing AI safety concerns, is not the right time to enter public markets.

“We’re not rushing into an IPO,” Altman said. “I actually think that given everything happening with safety, right now would be an ill-advised moment to go public.”

Altman said OpenAI will pursue a public listing only when the business is ready and when the broader environment around artificial intelligence makes the timing appropriate. He confirmed that an IPO will not happen in 2026.

OpenAI weighs future IPO timing

The comments came as the company faces wider discussions about AI safety, development speed and the challenges of managing a rapidly growing technology business. Altman discussed the issue in a Fortune interview.

OpenAI reportedly hired bankers and lawyers to explore a possible 2026 IPO. Still, The New York Times reported that the company was leaning toward a 2027 timeline because of uncertainty in technology markets and financial challenges.

Altman’s comments indicate that OpenAI is focusing on business readiness and AI safety considerations before making a public market debut. The full discussion was also published in a