OpenAI Eyes $1 Trillion Valuation with Potential 2026 IPO Amid Soaring AI Market

Artificial intelligence (AI) leader OpenAI is reportedly preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) that could value the company at up to $1 trillion, according to a Reuters report released Wednesday. The listing could occur as early as the second half of 2026, though some insiders suggest it might happen in 2027, depending on market conditions. OpenAI’s chief financial officer, Sarah Friar, has discussed a 2027 timeline with associates, but advisers believe the move could come sooner.

An IPO would allow OpenAI to tap public capital markets and reduce its financial dependence on Microsoft (MSFT), which currently holds a 27% stake in the company following a recent recapitalization. Going public could also enable OpenAI to accelerate research, expand its product portfolio, and solidify its dominance in the rapidly growing AI industry.

Since launching its groundbreaking ChatGPT platform, OpenAI has become a driving force behind the global AI boom. Tech giants such as Google, Meta, Microsoft, and X (formerly Twitter) have followed suit, launching their own AI-driven assistants. The surge in AI innovation has not only reshaped the technology landscape but also influenced investor sentiment across sectors, particularly in risk-on markets like cryptocurrencies.

Despite its immense growth, OpenAI faces financial hurdles. Reports from The Register, citing Microsoft’s quarterly earnings, suggest the company incurred a staggering $11.5 billion loss in the last quarter.

Earlier this month, CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the “bubbly” state of parts of the AI industry during OpenAI’s DevDay, emphasizing that his company remains focused on sustainable, long-term growth rather than hype-driven expansion.

OpenAI has yet to comment publicly on the IPO plans, but its potential trillion-dollar valuation underscores the massive investor confidence in the future of artificial intelligence.