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OpenAI Rules Out 2026 IPO as Altman Prioritizes AI Safety 
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SoftBank Group shares plunged on Monday as investors reacted to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman ruling out a public listing in 2026 and growing calls to slow the pace of artificial intelligence development.
SoftBank (TYO: 9984) dropped more than 11% to 5,795 yen, making it one of the weakest performers on Japan’s Nikkei 225. The benchmark index also came under pressure, falling about 2% during the session.
Altman said in a magazine interview that OpenAI does not plan to pursue an initial public offering in 2026. The comments raised concerns for SoftBank, which has committed more than $60 billion to the AI company and used substantial borrowing, including bridge loans backed by other holdings, to finance its investment.
An OpenAI IPO could have provided SoftBank with an opportunity to realize significant returns, particularly after the AI startup secured lofty valuations in funding rounds earlier this year. Delaying a listing potentially pushes those returns further into the future.
Investor sentiment was also hit by broader concerns about the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently called for AI development to slow, warning about potential risks to humanity. His message received support from several prominent technology executives and AI developers, including Altman, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis.
A slowdown in AI investment could create additional challenges for SoftBank because of its heavy exposure to the technology sector. The Japanese conglomerate has positioned artificial intelligence as a central pillar of its long-term growth strategy.
SoftBank also faces potential exposure through chip designer Arm, one of the most valuable assets in its portfolio. Arm has benefited substantially from booming demand for AI-related computing and semiconductor technology. Any significant cooling in AI spending could weigh on chip demand and technology valuations, potentially affecting both Arm and SoftBank’s wider portfolio.
Despite Monday’s sharp selloff, SoftBank shares remain up nearly 26% in 2026, reflecting the strong gains the company accumulated earlier in the year as investors embraced its aggressive AI investment strategy.
