Sam Altman has confirmed that OpenAI has no intention of going public in 2026, prioritizing the development of robust safety protocols over a stock market debut. In a recent interview with Fortune, Altman emphasized that the current landscape surrounding artificial intelligence is too volatile for an IPO. He expressed deep concern regarding the existential risks posed by advanced AI, stressing that companies and governments must act to ensure that the probability of catastrophic outcomes remains effectively zero, regardless of profit incentives or market pressure.

This strategic pivot comes amidst growing anxiety among U.S. lawmakers and industry leaders regarding the rapid pace of AI development. Echoing calls from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, Altman agreed that the industry must adopt a more deliberate approach to "pace the frontier" of model capabilities. While competitors like Anthropic continue to move forward with their own public listing plans, OpenAI is focusing on internal alignment and potential collaborations with other firms to establish safety standards. For now, Altman remains committed to addressing the complex responsibilities of the technology before considering any public offering.