OpenAI is laying the groundwork for a historic initial public offering, a move that could value the ChatGPT creator at up to $1 trillion. People familiar with the matter report that while discussions are preliminary, a potential listing could occur as soon as late 2026. An IPO would open new avenues for raising capital, helping to finance CEO Sam Altman’s ambitious plans for AI infrastructure and support major acquisitions. This preparation follows a complex corporate restructuring and comes as the company faces mounting losses despite a projected $20 billion revenue run rate. CEO Sam Altman has publicly called an IPO the company’s “most likely path.”