OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is preparing for a spectacular entry into the financial markets with an initial public offering (IPO) that could value the company up to 1 000 billion dollarsseveral sources close to the case revealed on Wednesday, according to reports. ReutersSuch a transaction would place OpenAI among the most valuable technology companies in the world, alongside giants like Apple, Microsoft and Alphabet.
According to these sources, the IPO is expected to take place in 2026, likely on the Nasdaq, and could represent one of the largest fundraising rounds in market history. Discussions are still ongoing, but several major investment banks, including Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, have reportedly already been approached to advise on the operation.
OpenAI's soaring valuation is based on the explosive growth of its products, notably ChatGPT and the GPT-5 artificial intelligence models, which have been widely adopted in businesses and public services. The company, founded in 2015 by Sam Altman and backed by ecosystem, enjoys a dominant position in the global generative AI market, a sector experiencing explosive growth.
Microsoft, already a major shareholder in OpenAI with an estimated 49% stake, could see its own valuation increase considerably if the deal goes through. The American tech giant has invested over $13 billion in OpenAI and already integrates its technologies into its software suite and its Bing search engine.
This IPO would mark a major turning point in the history of artificial intelligence, symbolizing the commercial maturity of a sector long perceived as experimental. However, some observers warn against an "AI bubble" fueled by excessive expectations, reminiscent of the excesses seen during the dot-com era of the 2000s.
If the valuation of one trillion dollars is confirmed, OpenAI would become the first unlisted company in history to reach such a threshold before its market entry, confirming its position as a global driving force of the current technological revolution.
