OpenAI, the company behind the groundbreaking ChatGPT, is reportedly preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) that could value the company at a staggering $1 trillion. This move would position it as one of the most valuable publicly traded companies globally and marks a significant step in the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
According to sources familiar with the matter, OpenAI is considering filing with securities regulators as early as the second half of 2026, with a potential listing in 2027. Preliminary discussions suggest the company may aim to raise $60 billion or more through the IPO. However, these plans are still in the early stages and are subject to change depending on business growth and overall market conditions.
An OpenAI spokesperson stated that an IPO is not the company's current focus, emphasizing their commitment to building a sustainable business and advancing their mission to ensure that everyone benefits from artificial general intelligence (AGI). CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the possibility of going public, stating that it's "the most likely path for us, given the capital needs that we'll have".
This potential IPO comes after a complex restructuring of OpenAI, designed to reduce its reliance on Microsoft, which currently holds a 27% stake in the company following a $13 billion investment. The restructuring and potential IPO would allow OpenAI more flexibility in raising capital and pursuing acquisitions, supporting Altman's ambitious plans to invest trillions of dollars in AI infrastructure.
The news arrives amidst what some are calling an "AI arms race," where major technology companies are fiercely competing to develop the most advanced AI systems. OpenAI, Google, and Meta have emerged as the primary competitors, each with unique strengths and strategies. OpenAI's consumer-first approach, exemplified by ChatGPT, has garnered significant attention and a massive user base, with approximately 800 million weekly users as of October 2025.
The company's financial performance reflects its rapid growth. OpenAI's annualized revenue run rate is projected to reach approximately $20 billion by the end of the year. However, losses are also increasing due to substantial investments in AI research and infrastructure. Despite these losses, investors seem optimistic about OpenAI's long-term potential and its ability to redefine capital markets' engagement with AI.
To maintain its leadership position in the AI race, OpenAI is also working on securing access to vast amounts of energy. The company has called on the U.S. government to invest heavily in new power generation capacity to avoid falling behind China, which is rapidly expanding its energy infrastructure. OpenAI has stressed that electricity is a "strategic asset" essential for building the AI infrastructure necessary to secure U.S. leadership in this critical technology.
While the IPO plans are still preliminary, they signal OpenAI's ambition to remain at the forefront of AI development and its recognition of the massive capital investments required to achieve its goals. If successful, this IPO would not only be one of the largest in history but also a testament to the transformative potential of artificial intelligence.
