OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told Fortune Magazine that the company will not launch an initial public offering in 2026. Altman called the current period an "ill-advised moment" to go public due to artificial intelligence safety concerns and the need for alignment between the industry and governments. He stated that he is not rushing the process and prefers to address these regulatory and safety milestones as a private entity, potentially listing in 2027.

Shares of the company on the Liquid pre-IPO market currently value OpenAI at approximately $1.6 trillion. Altman indicated the business can maintain high profitability even if development slows, citing its Astra project as a primary driver of revenue growth.