OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has ruled out an initial public offering for the company this year. He said market conditions and internal priorities make a listing impractical right now.
Altman called an IPO “ill-advised” during a recent appearance. His comments come as concerns about artificial intelligence safety continue to grow.
The ChatGPT maker has drawn intense scrutiny from regulators and the public. Lawmakers in the U.S. and Europe are debating new rules for AI systems.
An IPO would require OpenAI to disclose detailed financial and governance information. That level of transparency could conflict with the company’s current structure.
OpenAI operates under a capped-profit model overseen by a nonprofit board. The arrangement gives the board control over major decisions, including any public offering.
Altman said the company needs to focus on developing safe AI rather than chasing short-term investor returns. He added that an IPO could distract from that mission.
The CEO did not provide a timeline for when an offering might be considered. He said the decision would depend on future market and regulatory conditions.
OpenAI has raised billions from Microsoft and other investors in recent years. Those deals have fueled speculation about a future public listing.
For now, Altman’s remarks suggest the company will stay private. That keeps its finances and governance out of the public market’s direct view.
