OpenAI’s Sam Altman says it would be ‘ill-advised’ to go public in 2026
While OpenAI has filed confidentially for an IPO, the company will not be going public this year, according to CEO Sam Altman.
OpenAI’s Sam Altman says it would be ill-advised to go public in 2026 | TechCrunch
Disrupt 2026: OpenAI, Anthropic, Replit, and more take over 6 industry stages. 25% off tickets now
Back by popular demand: Save up to $300 on Disrupt
1:19 PM PDT · September 12, 2026
Image Credits:Nathan Laine/Bloomberg / Getty Images
OpenAI’s Sam Altman says it would be ill-advised to go public in 2026
While OpenAI has filed confidentially for an IPO, the company will not be going public this year, according to CEO Sam Altman.
Altman was interviewed recently by Fortune editor in chief Alyson Shontell; amidst the fallout from the OpenAI-HuggingFace hack, as well as broader discussions about AI safety, Shontell asked whether OpenAI still feels pressure to “move really fast” due to its IPO plans.
“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.”
Instead, he insisted that OpenAI will go public “when we’re ready, which is when the business is ready, when we feel ready from what the moment is like in society with this technology.” When pressed on whether that means the IPO isn’t happening in 2026, Altman replied, “I would say not 2026, yeah. We’ve got a lot of stuff to do.”
The New York Times reported in June that although OpenAI had hired bankers and lawyers with the goal of going public in the third or fourth quarter of 2026, the company was leaning toward 2027 due to the volatility of tech stocks and its own financial challenges.
AI, Fundraising, OpenAI, sam altman
Last day to book an exhibit table is September 18. Don’t miss out on high-impact leads, investor access, and a brand spotlight in Disrupt’s Expo Hall.
Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news
Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage.
TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight.
Startups are the core of TechCrunch, so get our best coverage delivered weekly.
Provides movers and shakers with the info they need to start their day.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice.
Obama urges Democrats to have a ‘clear plan’ for AI safeguards
Anthropic CEO outlines plan to slow AI development
OpenAIs feud with mathematicians is only escalating