In a candid interview that has ignited debate across Silicon Valley, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed he has “zero percent” excitement about leading the company once it becomes publicly traded. The remarks, made on the Big Technology Podcast and widely reported in early January 2026, shed new light on OpenAI’s leadership future as the AI powerhouse inches closer to a historic IPO.
“Zero Percent” Interest in Running a Public Company
Altman’s comments were specifically about the realities of being a CEO of a public company. When asked whether he was excited about that prospect, his answer was blunt: “Zero percent.” He described an IPO as “annoying,” citing heavy regulatory scrutiny, relentless quarterly earnings pressure, and the loss of flexibility that private companies enjoy.
According to Altman, OpenAI’s current private structure puts it in a “wonderful position,” allowing leadership to focus on long-term research goals rather than short-term market reactions. He also emphasized that if OpenAI does go public, it will likely happen “very late” compared to other tech firms of similar scale.
Why an OpenAI IPO May Be Unavoidable
Despite his clear reluctance, Altman acknowledged that an IPO is becoming increasingly inevitable. The primary driver is capital. Building Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) requires enormous infrastructure investments, and OpenAI has already committed to deals totaling nearly $1 trillion with partners such as Oracle, Nvidia, and AMD.
Additionally, OpenAI is expected to eventually exceed the legal limits on the number of shareholders allowed for a private company. Altman also noted that, philosophically, he finds it “cool” that public investors get to share in value creation even if he personally dislikes the operational burden of going public.
Timeline, Valuation, and IPO Expectations
Reports from late 2025 and early 2026 suggest that OpenAI is quietly preparing for a public listing. Sources indicate the company could file with securities regulators as early as the second half of 2026, with CFO Sarah Friar targeting a 2027 IPO.
Valuation estimates currently range between $830 billion and $1 trillion, which would place OpenAI among the largest IPOs ever, rivaling historic tech listings.
Restructuring and Altman’s Unique Role
Altman’s comments come shortly after OpenAI completed its transition into a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) in October 2025 a move widely seen as a prerequisite for an IPO. Notably, it was also revealed that Altman will not receive a personal equity stake in the for-profit entity, reinforcing his long-standing claim that he is not motivated by personal wealth.
Focused on the AI Race For Now
Despite his disinterest in being a public-company CEO, Altman remains intensely focused on competition. Following the launch of Google’s Gemini 3, he reportedly issued an internal “Code Red,” ordering an eight-week sprint to accelerate OpenAI’s core development efforts.
The message is clear: Sam Altman may not want to run OpenAI forever but for now, he’s fully committed to winning the AI race.
