OpenAI, the famous company that created ChatGPT, is quietly preparing for something very big — a public stock market launch, also called an Initial Public Offering (IPO). If this happens, it could make OpenAI one of the most valuable companies in the world, with a possible worth of up to $1 trillion.
This plan, according to people familiar with the discussions, might take place in 2026 or 2027, depending on how quickly the company grows and how strong the market is. If everything goes as expected, it could be one of the largest IPOs in history.
At the moment, OpenAI is still in the early stages of preparing for this move. The company is talking to financial experts and investors about when the right time would be and how much money to raise. Some early talks suggest that OpenAI could raise at least $60 billion, but that number could increase depending on future plans.
However, people close to the company say that nothing is final yet. These plans could change depending on how the economy looks and how fast OpenAI continues to grow. Still, the idea of OpenAI going public is already creating excitement around the world of business and technology.
When Might It Happen?
Some insiders say that OpenAI could file its IPO paperwork by the second half of 2026. This means they might officially announce their plan to sell shares to the public sometime that year. Others believe it could happen a bit later — maybe in early or mid-2027.
The company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Sarah Friar, has reportedly mentioned to some people that OpenAI is aiming for a 2027 listing. But a few advisers think it could happen sooner. It depends on how fast the company feels ready to face the public market and how confident they are in their financial stability.
When asked about these rumors, an OpenAI spokesperson said, “An IPO is not our focus, so we could not possibly have set a date. We are building a durable business and advancing our mission so everyone benefits from AGI.”
AGI stands for Artificial General Intelligence, which means machines that can think, learn, and solve problems like humans do. That’s the dream that OpenAI has been chasing since it began — to create powerful AI that can help everyone, not just big corporations.
Why This IPO Matters
This IPO would be a huge step for OpenAI and for the world of artificial intelligence. It would show how quickly AI companies are growing and how valuable they’ve become. Just a few years ago, OpenAI was a small research group trying to make smart technology safer for people. Now, it’s one of the most talked-about companies in the world.
The idea of OpenAI being worth up to $1 trillion shows how much investors believe in the power of AI. If the IPO goes through, it would place OpenAI among tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Google, which are also valued at around or above that level.
This could also make OpenAI one of the most successful startups ever to go public. A trillion-dollar valuation means that people trust its future growth and see its technology as a major part of the world’s future economy.
How Microsoft Fits In
OpenAI’s strong connection with Microsoft has always been a key part of its story. Microsoft invested billions of dollars into OpenAI and became one of its closest partners. But recently, OpenAI completed a complex internal restructuring that gives it more independence from Microsoft.
This change allows OpenAI to make its own financial and business decisions more freely. It also means the company can now think about raising money from other investors through the stock market, instead of relying mainly on Microsoft’s funding.
According to people close to the company, the IPO would allow OpenAI to raise money more efficiently and buy other companies using its own public stock. This could help them build more advanced AI tools, hire more experts, and invest in massive data centers.
Some reports suggest that Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, has very big dreams for the company. He reportedly wants to invest trillions of dollars into AI infrastructure — the systems and technology needed to make AI faster, smarter, and more useful. Going public could help him gather that kind of money from investors worldwide.
Building a Business That Lasts
Even though OpenAI is best known for ChatGPT, it’s also working on many other AI tools and technologies. The company has been developing systems that can write code, design images, and even help scientists with complex research.
To keep growing, OpenAI needs a lot of computing power, data, and skilled people — all of which cost huge amounts of money. That’s one reason why an IPO makes sense. It would allow the company to raise enough funds to keep building and innovating for years to come.
Still, the company wants to make sure that its focus stays on safe and helpful AI, not just profit. The spokesperson’s statement highlights that OpenAI wants to build a “durable business,” meaning one that lasts long-term and benefits everyone, not just investors.
The Bigger Picture
The tech industry is watching closely. Many experts believe OpenAI’s public offering could shape the next big wave of the technology market. If OpenAI’s IPO succeeds, other AI companies might follow, leading to a new era where artificial intelligence dominates the business world.
However, some analysts are cautious. They warn that the AI market is still young and unpredictable. Prices, demand, and public opinion could shift quickly. Some investors might worry about regulations, ethical debates, and the environmental impact of large-scale AI computing.
Even with these uncertainties, most agree that OpenAI has already changed how people see artificial intelligence. Its products have reached millions of users, and its brand is known across the globe.
If OpenAI truly goes public and reaches a $1 trillion valuation, it will mark a new milestone in the history of technology — showing that AI is not just a part of the future but the center of it.
A Step Toward the Future
For now, OpenAI’s leadership team continues to work quietly behind the scenes. Their goal is not only to prepare for the IPO but also to ensure that the company’s mission stays clear and ethical.
As the spokesperson said, “We are building a durable business and advancing our mission so everyone benefits from AGI.”
Whether the IPO happens in 2026 or 2027, one thing is certain — OpenAI’s journey is reshaping the future of technology. The company started with a dream to make AI useful and fair for everyone, and now it stands at the edge of becoming one of the most powerful and valuable companies on the planet.