OpenAI, the artificial intelligence technology giant, has officially announced that it will not pursue an initial public offering (IPO) in 2026. Sam Altman, the CEO of the company, emphasized in an interview with a business magazine that OpenAI's focus is on safety and creating alignment in the field of artificial intelligence, which is more important to them than being listed on the market.
AI Safety Challenges are a Priority
Altman said, "This is an inappropriate moment to enter the market" and pointed to the safety challenges facing artificial intelligence. Given researchers' warnings about the potential dangers of advanced AI models, pressure on governments and regulators to enact protective laws is increasing.
He added that even a small possibility of endangering human life due to artificial intelligence is unacceptable, and he expressed doubt about the ability to calculate such probabilities. Altman stated, "We all have a significant responsibility" and emphasized the need for coordinated action by companies and governments to prevent such dangers.
While OpenAI was considering an IPO valued at around one trillion dollars, it now seems that this timing will be pushed to 2027. Altman remarked, "We have a lot of work to do, such as addressing safety and alignment needs, and how the industry and governments can collaborate together."
He also mentioned the possibility of OpenAI and other leading AI companies nearing an agreement to collaborate on AI safety. Meanwhile, Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, has emphasized the need to slow down the advancement of AI technology.
However, these concerns have not hindered Anthropic's plans to enter the market, and the company will soon proceed with its IPO marketing.
