AI safety warnings unlikely to slow IPOs but questions linger

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, September 19, 2026

Anthropic plans to launch its IPO later this year, potentially ahead of OpenAI, despite internal staff resignations and industry concerns over AI safety. The outcome of Anthropic’s public listing could set a precedent for AI companies going public and influence investor confidence amid growing scrutiny of the technology’s risks.

Anthropic is anticipated to launch a high-profile initial public offering (IPO) later this year, potentially ahead of rival OpenAI, despite ongoing concerns about the safety of advanced artificial intelligence. The expected public listing comes amid heightened scrutiny following a recent resignation by an Anthropic employee who warned that the industry is "gambling with our lives" in developing AI technologies.

Jacob Coxon, who previously worked at OpenAI before joining Anthropic, resigned last week, drawing support from colleagues who share apprehensions about the risks posed by AI. One Anthropic employee expressed worry about a low-probability but high-impact scenario in which AI could threaten human existence. Last weekend, Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei called for a cautious approach to AI development but did not comment on the company’s IPO plans.

The IPOs of both Anthropic and OpenAI are highly anticipated within the tech and investment communities. Companies preparing for IPOs are required to disclose significant risks to investors, but it remains unclear how either firm will address hypothetical AI safety concerns in their filings. Anthropic could submit its registration documents to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as soon as this month.

Some industry insiders are skeptical about the potential impact of safety warnings on the IPO. Venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya questioned whether the perceived dangers are significant enough to affect investor demand or valuation, noting that any genuine risk would likely be reflected in a discounted share price. Brad Gerstner, founder of Altimeter Capital and investor in both companies, also downplayed the concerns, highlighting that IPOs typically bring greater transparency. He pointed to Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which raised a record $85 billion in its IPO but has since lost about 25% of its value, as evidence that markets adjust valuations based on available information.

The performance of Anthropic’s IPO could influence OpenAI’s plans, setting a benchmark for AI companies going public. Both firms have secured major investments from tech giants including Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Nvidia. The broader U.S. economy is increasingly intertwined with the development of AI technologies, making the success or failure of these IPOs consequential beyond the companies themselves.

OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman has indicated that the company will delay its IPO until 2027, citing the current moment as “ill-advised” due to safety concerns. This stance aligns with earlier signals that OpenAI was not in a rush to enter public markets this year. Nonetheless, OpenAI is reportedly engaged in talks for a new funding round valuing the firm at over $1.2 trillion ahead of any IPO. Meanwhile, Anthropic’s valuation target for its anticipated offering could reach $2 trillion.

Despite concerns about AI safety and recent incidents of technology going off-script, company executives have largely dismissed fears that these issues will hinder business growth. OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar argued that even if the pace of innovation slows, the existing pool of AI capabilities remains substantial. Anthropic’s head of policy, Sarah Heck, emphasized that safety has been central to the company’s mission from the outset and stressed that investors and customers are fully aware of this focus.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.