OpenAI CEO Sam Altman canceled a planned trip to Abu Dhabi, days after the company filed to go public and as the UAE remains a major investor despite US national security scrutiny of its tech ties.

What happened: Sam Altman called off a visit to Abu Dhabi that had been scheduled to coincide with OpenAI's disclosure this week that it filed initial paperwork to become a public company. The IPO could value the company at up to $1 trillion（約160兆円）, according to Reuters.

Why it matters: Abu Dhabi's MGX led OpenAI's March funding round of $122 billion（約20兆円） and holds the company at a $852 billion（約140兆円） valuation, making it a central financial backer. However, US regulators have flagged security concerns about the UAE's tech relationships — Cerebras faced IPO delays over its significant ties to Abu Dhabi's G42 before listing in May — suggesting political sensitivity around the region's role in American tech companies.

What to watch: OpenAI's IPO could occur as soon as September. SpaceX, which also has UAE investment connections, is debuting on the stock market today and is expected to become the largest IPO of 2026, potentially ahead of other major tech listings.