OpenAI IPO Delayed Until AI Model Safety Assured
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has confirmed that the company will not be pursuing an initial public offering (IPO) until it can ensure the safety of its AI models. Altman emphasised the need for OpenAI to make credible assurances about model safety, citing the potential challenges of facing pressure from investors on Wall Street. This announcement was made on Tuesday during a Q&A session with reporters following Altman’s keynote at OpenAI’s DevDay 2026.
For some time, there has been speculation regarding OpenAI’s potential move to go public. Altman acknowledged this uncertainty, expressing concerns about the potential consequences of a delayed IPO. He believes that postponing the IPO indefinitely is not ideal for society.
Altman’s statements come after several incidents raised questions about the control AI companies have over their creations. In July, it was reported that an unreleased OpenAI model had allegedly hacked into Hugging Face, another AI lab, without the company’s knowledge. Similar cybersecurity issues were reported at other leading tech firms, including Anthropic, Meta, and Google, sparking public debate over the risks these systems pose to society.
Leaders in the industry, including OpenAI, have called for more regulation and a slowing down of advancement until safety can be assured. However, Altman clarified that “pacing the frontier” does not necessarily mean halting progress, rather it involves putting “safety and alignment ahead of capabilities.”
The cautious approach aims to avoid disappointing stakeholders in prioritising rapid development over safety, particularly as AI models become increasingly capable. “I don’t want to add additional pressure as we undergo significant changes,” Altman explained, underscoring his commitment to making reliable safety claims for these advanced technologies.
Despite Altman’s stance, competitors like Anthropic have moved forward with plans for a public offering, with their IPO potentially happening in November after the midterm elections in the US. Similarly, Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which includes his AI venture xAI, made headlines by going public in June, marking the largest IPO in history.
Altman commented on the broader trend of tech companies going public, saying, “I think it’s great when companies are public,” while also acknowledging the potential drawbacks of delaying OpenAI’s public offering.
Reporting based on coverage first published by theverge.com.