OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that the company will not pursue an initial public offering (IPO) in 2026, deeming it “ill-advised” due to increasing concerns about AI safety. This decision delays one of the most anticipated IPOs in tech until at least 2027 and reflects a shift in industry priorities as worries about rapid AI advancements grow. OpenAI CFO Sara Friar had previously indicated a potential IPO as early as 2027 if the business trajectory remained strong, but Altman’s recent comments suggest a more cautious approach amid evolving risks.

On the same day, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published an influential essay calling for the AI industry to slow down the pace at which it improves model capabilities. His three-step plan aims to moderate development speed without compromising commercial competitiveness or the United States’ lead in AI technology. The proposal received endorsements from Altman and Elon Musk, highlighting an unprecedented consensus among prominent AI leaders who previously competed fiercely, underscoring the urgency and gravity of the safety concerns now permeating the sector.

Amodei’s roadmap includes granting third-party evaluators extensive access to companies to verify safety practices, fostering cooperation among AI firms in democracies to set common safety standards, and encouraging coordination between democratic and authoritarian governments. This approach is designed to mitigate risks like manipulation, cyberattacks, and other harmful outcomes associated with increasingly capable AI systems. The call to slow development comes amid escalating legislative pressure in Washington and growing public backlash over AI’s environmental and social impacts.

The concerns voiced by industry insiders were further amplified by Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon’s abrupt resignation, citing fears that companies like Anthropic and OpenAI are recklessly advancing AI at the cost of human safety. While the potential benefits of AI remain significant, leaders like Amodei stress the importance of deliberate and careful progress. Musk echoed this sentiment, backing the call for a voluntary slowdown, signaling that even highly competitive players agree that securing AI’s safe development must take precedence over rapid commercialization.