We Do Not Feel Pressure: Sam Altman Says OpenAI IPO Won’t Happen In 2026

OpenAI will not go public in 2026, CEO Sam Altman has confirmed, saying the company is prioritising AI safety and alignment work as concerns grow over the rapid development of increasingly powerful artificial intelligence systems. Altman said an IPO at this stage would be “an ill-advised moment” for the company.

“I actually think that, given everything happening with safety, right now would be an ill-advised moment to go public, and we do not feel pressure on that,” Altman told Fortune.

When asked whether that meant 2026 was off the table and whether the company was looking towards 2027, Altman replied, “I would say not 2026.” He said OpenAI has significant work ahead on AI alignment, safety and determining how technology companies and governments can work together.

The decision comes as AI risks face growing scrutiny from lawmakers, researchers and the public. Concerns have intensified over the ability of advanced AI systems and autonomous agents to behave unpredictably or interact with external systems in potentially harmful ways.

Altman has also backed calls for the industry to slow the pace of frontier AI development. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently urged leading AI companies to give safety measures more time to catch up with rapidly improving capabilities. Amodei proposed stronger independent evaluations, common safety standards and greater international cooperation.

Altman said he agrees that companies need to “pace the frontier” and indicated that OpenAI could be close to an agreement with other major AI firms on AI development and safety. He suggested discussions involving leaders including Amodei, Elon Musk and Google AI chief Demis Hassabis could eventually produce a broader industry pact.

The IPO delay also puts OpenAI on a different path from rival Anthropic. Anthropic is reportedly preparing for a potential IPO later this year, with the company expected to begin marketing its offering as early as October.

OpenAI has long been expected to eventually pursue a public listing, potentially making it one of the biggest technology IPOs. For now, however, Altman says the company is focused on safety and alignment, rather than rushing into the public markets.

The shift comes as debate over the future of AI intensifies, with industry leaders increasingly weighing the benefits of advanced technology against concerns about whether safety measures can keep pace with its development.