OpenAI Delays GPT-5.6 Release at Trump Administration’s Request
· Hayden Field
The Trump administration has reportedly asked OpenAI to slow down the release of its next big model, GPT 5.6, citing security concerns.…
The Trump administration has reportedly asked OpenAI to slow down the release of its next big model, GPT 5.6, citing security concerns. According to The Information, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told employees during a company Q&A on Wednesday that the company will comply by rolling out GPT 5.6 in limited preview form. Only a small group of enterprise customers will get early access. The twist? The Trump administration itself will approve each customer on a case by case basis during that preview period.
It's a notable shift in the government's approach to AI oversight. Altman framed the deal as more favorable than what the administration gave OpenAI's rival Anthropic. Exactly what that means for Anthropic is unclear, but it suggests the White House is picking favorites or at least tailoring its demands company by company. The move also raises questions about how federal control over cutting edge AI models might evolve.
OpenAI hasn't commented publicly on the timeline for a broader release of GPT 5.6 or what new capabilities it will bring. For now, the message is clear: the government wants a hand on the wheel before this thing hits the road. Whether that hand helps steer or just slows things down remains to be seen.