OpenAI IPO timing slips as Altman points to a public offering next year

Sam Altman has told OpenAI employees to expect a public offering within the next year, according to The Decoder, though the timeline could slip into 2027. The report frames the delay partly around caution as AI systems become more capable.

The IPO question matters because OpenAI’s corporate structure, capital needs, and competitive position are increasingly tied together. Public markets would bring new scrutiny to spending, governance, and long-term risk claims.

The timing also lands as rivals push aggressive growth stories, making OpenAI’s path to the public market a major signal for the broader AI sector.