Signs suggest OpenAI may be moving toward an eventual IPO, but CEO Sam Altman says he has little enthusiasm for leading a public company. Speaking on the Big Technology Podcast, Altman said being a public-company CEO would be “really annoying” in some ways, adding he has “0%” excitement about the role.
Altman said he values OpenAI’s status as a private company but acknowledged that the firm’s massive capital needs could eventually push it past shareholder limits. While he likes the idea of public markets participating in value creation, he stressed that OpenAI would go public “very late,” adding that he doesn’t know if or when an IPO will happen.
Founded in 2015, OpenAI’s valuation has surged since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022. The company reportedly has hundreds of millions of weekly users and has secured major deals with tech giants. Reports indicate OpenAI is seeking to raise more funding at a higher valuation, though Altman declined to give a timeline for an IPO.