OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has clarified that the company will not pursue an initial public offering (IPO) in 2026, despite having filed confidentially for one. In a recent interview with Fortune editor in chief Alyson Shontell, Altman emphasized that OpenAI is not rushing to go public amid ongoing discussions about AI safety and recent security incidents. He described the current moment as "ill-advised" for an IPO, noting that the company will proceed only when its business and societal conditions are favorable. When asked directly about the 2026 timeline, Altman confirmed that the IPO is unlikely to happen that year, stating, "We’ve got a lot of stuff to do." Earlier reports indicated that OpenAI had engaged bankers and lawyers aiming for a late 2026 IPO but was considering pushing the timeline to 2027 due to tech market volatility and financial challenges. This cautious approach reflects OpenAI's intent to balance growth with responsible deployment of its AI technologies.