OpenAI to delay GPT-5.6 release after Trump administration request

In short: OpenAI plans to slow down the release of its next AI model, GPT-5.6, after a request from the Trump administration.

What happened

OpenAI will release GPT-5.6 in a limited preview first, instead of making it widely available right away. GPT-5.6 is the company’s next major AI model, meaning the software that powers tools like chatbots (programs you can talk to, like texting).

According to reporting from The Information that was cited by The Verge, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told employees in a company Q&A that only a small group of enterprise customers will get access during this early period. “Enterprise customers” means large organizations, like big companies that buy software for many employees.

During the preview, the Trump administration is expected to approve access for customers one by one. The Verge reports the administration asked OpenAI to stagger the release because of potential security concerns. Think of it like letting a few trusted drivers test a new car model first, while regulators decide who else can take it on the road.

The Verge also notes this approach is different from how the administration has treated another AI company, Anthropic. Earlier this month, Anthropic reportedly faced stricter limits that blocked access to some of its models for “foreign nationals,” including some employees who are not US citizens.

Why it matters

This could affect when new AI features reach businesses and, eventually, everyday users. It also shows the US government is taking a more direct role in who can use powerful AI systems, at least during early release periods.

Source: The Verge AI