Sam Altman says OpenAI going public in 2026 would be ‘ill-advised’

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told Fortune that the company will not pursue an IPO in 2026, saying going public amid current safety challenges would be “ill-advised.” He also discussed risks around advanced AI systems, saying AI beyond human control is possible and that OpenAI may pause training if needed to avoid unacceptable risks.

Altman’s comments suggest OpenAI wants to preserve strategic flexibility as it navigates both commercialization and AI safety scrutiny. Delaying an IPO may also reduce pressure from public markets while the company faces growing expectations around governance, transparency, and control of frontier models.