AI
OpenAI Delays GPT-5.6 Release Pending Trump Administration Approval
OpenAI is staggering access to its newest models at the White House's request, with a slow rollout beginning with pre-approved customers.
WIRED — AI
OpenAI confirmed Friday that it's delaying public release of GPT-5.6, its next-generation AI models, following a request from the Trump administration. The company plans to first share access with a limited set of government-preapproved customers before gradually expanding availability over the coming weeks.
The move reflects growing White House concern about cybersecurity risks posed by advanced AI systems. This comes roughly two weeks after the administration issued an export control directive to Anthropic, forcing the company to take its most advanced models offline.
The Staggered Rollout#
OpenAI will introduce GPT-5.6 in three tiers: Sol (most capable), Terra (mid-tier), and Luna (fast and affordable). The company says it's implementing a "layered safeguard stack" designed to prevent misuse for cyberattacks and other harmful purposes.
The rollout operates through an unusual interim arrangement: OpenAI submits a list of potential customers to the US government and receives feedback on approval—a process the company acknowledges lacks formal structure.
OpenAI's Reluctance#
While complying with the request, OpenAI made clear it views this as temporary. "We don't believe this kind of government access process should become the long-term default," the company wrote. "It keeps the best tools from users, developers, enterprises, cyber defenders, and global partners who need them."
The company frames the delay as a strategic choice to accelerate broader access once an official framework emerges from the administration's ongoing cyber executive order work.
Wider Industry Uncertainty#
The pattern—requests to both OpenAI and Anthropic to limit advanced model access—creates uncertainty for other US AI labs. The Trump administration has historically prioritized deregulation to boost American AI competitiveness against China, but has recently shifted focus toward addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in cutting-edge systems. A White House official told WIRED the administration continues collaborating with frontier AI labs on these issues.
