OpenAI May Delay IPO to 2027 Amid $1 Trillion Valuation Goal

OpenAI is reportedly considering postponing its highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO) until 2027 as it pursues an ambitious $1 trillion valuation. According to a report by The New York Times, company executives are weighing whether to delay the public listing or move forward sooner with a lower valuation. However, CEO Sam Altman has reportedly rejected the idea of reducing the company's target valuation, reinforcing OpenAI's long-term growth strategy.

Reuters previously reported that OpenAI had confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO and is aiming for a valuation of up to $1 trillion. Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar has also reportedly informed associates that the AI company is targeting a public debut in 2027. The latest report suggests advisers presented two options to executives: wait until 2027 to achieve the desired valuation or pursue an earlier listing at a lower market value. Altman reportedly viewed any reduction from the trillion-dollar target as unacceptable.

In a separate development, Reuters reported that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has requested OpenAI to slow the public release of its upcoming artificial intelligence model due to national security concerns. A source familiar with the matter said the government wanted a more controlled rollout to assess potential risks before broader public access.

According to The Information, Altman informed employees that GPT-5.6 would first be made available through a limited preview program involving selected partners. During this testing phase, access would reportedly be approved on a customer-by-customer basis with oversight from the U.S. government.

The phased release was reportedly requested by the Office of the National Cyber Director and the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The cautious approach highlights the increasing government focus on AI safety, cybersecurity, and responsible deployment as advanced artificial intelligence models become more powerful.

The latest developments underscore OpenAI's commitment to balancing rapid innovation with regulatory cooperation while pursuing one of the largest potential IPOs in technology history. If the company successfully reaches its $1 trillion valuation target, it would rank among the world's most valuable publicly traded technology firms and mark a significant milestone for the artificial intelligence industry.