OpenAI files for stock market debut, escalating competition with Anthropic

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, filed for a U.S. initial public offering, according to multiple reports. The move puts OpenAI in direct competition with Anthropic, another major artificial intelligence developer that previously announced its own public market plans.

The filings reflect a broader investor appetite for AI companies. Wall Street firms have pursued multiple strategies to fund artificial intelligence ventures, from traditional venture capital to newer financing arrangements.

Both OpenAI and Anthropic represent the largest AI startups to pursue public listings. Their decisions to go public signal confidence in the long-term commercial viability of large language models and generative AI systems.

The timing places both companies among a wave of major private firms planning or executing IPOs. Other privately held companies including SpaceX have considered or discussed public market debuts in recent years.

OpenAI raised $6.6 billion in its most recent funding round at a $157 billion valuation. Anthropic, founded by former OpenAI researchers, has secured approximately $7 billion in total funding at a reported $60 billion valuation.

For potential investors, a public listing would offer liquidity currently unavailable in private markets. Existing shareholders, including early employees and institutional backers, could sell shares or establish positions ahead of future trading.