OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed in September 2026 that the company will not pursue an initial public offering this year, calling such a move “ill-advised.” The disclosure came during a 45-minute interview with Fortune magazine.
Beyond the IPO question, Altman addressed several significant topics during the conversation, including the Hugging Face hacking incident and the concept of recursive self-improvement in AI systems.
On the possibility of developing an AI that surpasses human control, Altman said it was “absolutely” possible. He vowed, however, to take steps to prevent that outcome — including pausing AI training if necessary. “There are risks we should not be able to incur on behalf of humanity,” he said.
The comments suggest OpenAI remains focused on managing the risks associated with advanced AI development, even as it continues to grow as a company. Altman’s willingness to consider halting training under certain conditions may signal that internal safeguards carry significant weight in the company’s decision-making.
Source: The Verge