OpenAI Plans $1 Trillion IPO in 2026 for ChatGPT Evolution

According to Reuters reporting based on three anonymous sources familiar with the matter, OpenAI is preparing an initial public offering that could see the artificial intelligence company reach a staggering $1 trillion valuation. This would represent the largest startup valuation in history, dwarfing previous technology IPOs and setting a new benchmark for the AI industry. The reported $60 billion capital raise would provide unprecedented resources for OpenAI to maintain its leadership position in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape.

The timing of this massive public offering comes as global competition in artificial intelligence intensifies, with major technology companies and startups alike racing to develop increasingly sophisticated AI systems. OpenAI’s decision to pursue such an ambitious valuation reflects both the company’s current market position and its confidence in future growth prospects, particularly around its flagship ChatGPT platform and subsequent AI innovations.

OpenAI’s IPO timeline has been accelerated, with the company now targeting a late 2026 public debut rather than its previously announced 2027 target. According to the Reuters sources, the filing may reach US securities regulators in the second half of 2026, putting OpenAI on a faster track to public markets than originally planned. This accelerated schedule suggests the company sees both market conditions and its own development timeline as favorable for an earlier public offering.

The involvement of US securities regulators will be crucial in this process, as they will need to review and approve what would be one of the largest IPOs in history. The regulatory scrutiny will likely be intense given the size of the offering and the novel nature of OpenAI’s artificial intelligence business model. The company’s ability to navigate this regulatory landscape while maintaining its development momentum will be critical to the success of the public offering.

The primary purpose of the massive $60 billion capital raise is to fund what Reuters described as ‘ChatGPT’s next evolution’ amid growing global AI competition. This substantial funding would provide OpenAI with the resources necessary to accelerate development of more advanced AI models, expand computing infrastructure, and potentially enter new markets and applications. The capital injection would also support the company’s ongoing research into artificial general intelligence (AGI), which remains OpenAI’s long-term mission.

The timing of this funding round is particularly significant as competition in the AI space reaches new heights. With major technology companies investing billions in their own AI initiatives, OpenAI’s ability to secure such substantial funding through public markets would provide a significant competitive advantage. The resources would enable the company to scale its operations, attract top talent, and potentially acquire complementary technologies or companies to strengthen its market position.

As the artificial intelligence landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, OpenAI’s planned public offering represents not just a financial milestone but a strategic move to secure its position at the forefront of AI development. The success of this IPO could reshape the entire technology investment landscape and set new expectations for what’s possible in artificial intelligence funding and valuation.