Perplexity AI is set to pursue its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2028, regardless of how the market receives the anticipated public debuts of fellow AI firms Anthropic and OpenAI. This timeline remains firm, according to an interview with Chief Executive Officer Aravind Srinivas, as reported by CNBC.

Srinivas emphasized that Perplexity’s 2028 IPO plan is an internal strategic decision, not a reaction to external market conditions or the performance of competitors. He stated, “Agnostic of these two companies, we were planning for something in 2028 so that still remains the case.”

The AI industry is anticipating a significant wave of technology listings, with OpenAI and Anthropic expected to be among the prominent companies going public. Srinivas views the upcoming IPO of SpaceX as a key indicator for how investors might react to Anthropic and OpenAI.

“The SpaceX IPO this week will definitely be a leading indicator to how Anthropic or OpenAI will go out,” Srinivas commented. He acknowledged potential negative ripple effects if these IPOs do not perform well, adding, “I think it’s important for the AI industry that these IPOs go well, and I actually think they will go well, because they’re doing well.”

Addressing the valuations of OpenAI and Anthropic, Srinivas defended their high price tags, attributing them to their position at the forefront of AI model development. However, he cautioned that sustained innovation is key, stating, “If for six months you don’t see a model capability advance from one of these two companies, then it’s a problem for them.”

This development follows news that OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has confidentially filed for an IPO with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This move comes shortly after Anthropic, known for its Claude AI, also submitted its IPO paperwork, highlighting the intense competition and capital-raising efforts within the generative AI sector.