OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is reportedly exploring plans for a stock market debut that could value the company at around $1 trillion, marking one of the largest IPOs in history. The move could come as early as the second half of 2026, according to sources familiar with internal discussions.
The artificial intelligence powerhouse is expected to seek at least $60 billion in new funding through the offering, strengthening its ability to finance massive infrastructure projects, including data centers to power next-generation AI systems. Chief executive Sam Altman is said to view the IPO as a natural step to meet the company’s growing financial needs.
Altman reportedly told staff during a company livestream that an IPO was “the most likely path” given OpenAI’s ambitious capital requirements. However, he emphasized that no final decision has been made, and the company remains focused on building sustainable business operations.
An OpenAI spokesperson stressed that an IPO is not the company’s immediate priority, reiterating that its main goal is to advance artificial general intelligence (AGI) for the benefit of humanity. AGI refers to systems capable of outperforming humans in most economically valuable tasks.
Following a recent corporate restructuring, OpenAI now operates as a for-profit subsidiary under a nonprofit parent. Microsoft holds a 27% stake in the firm, which was last valued at $500 billion. The restructuring has sparked debate about whether the AI sector’s rapid valuations could signal an impending tech bubble.