Analyst Predicts Sam Altman Could Leave OpenAI Within a Year

Andrej Karpathy's reported move to Anthropic has fueled speculation that elite AI researchers increasingly view the startup as a leading competitor in the artificial intelligence race.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman attends a technology event amid growing debate over the future leadership of AI companies. (Photo: Village Global Flickr)

At the same time, rising token-production costs and simultaneous fundraising efforts across major AI companies have prompted debate about the industry's financial sustainability, Danielle Liverance reported for 24/7 Wall St.

Jordi Visser of 22V Research predicted that OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman could leave the company within a year, citing what he described as weak internal loyalty and a consumer-focused strategy that may have ceded enterprise market opportunities to Anthropic.

Speaking on The Pomp Podcast with Anthony Pompliano, Visser said: "I'd be shocked if, within a year, he's still running OpenAI. That's just me."

The remark formed part of a broader argument about the movement of leadership, talent and capital across the artificial intelligence sector.

Investors are paying close attention because OpenAI and Anthropic remain privately held companies, meaning exposure often comes through strategic partners, suppliers and cloud-computing providers supporting their operations.

The report also stated that OpenAI has confidentially filed for an initial public offering and could potentially command a valuation approaching $1 trillion. A leadership change at one of the industry's most prominent firms could reshape expectations throughout the sector.

Visser's argument rests on two main points. First, he claimed Altman lacks strong internal support.

Second, he argued that OpenAI made a strategic mistake by prioritizing consumer markets over enterprise customers. According to Visser, enterprise contracts typically provide more predictable revenue streams and stronger pricing power than consumer-focused services.