OpenAI set to launch most advanced GPT model yet after delayed rollout

OpenAI is poised to publicly launch its most advanced artificial intelligence model, GPT-5.6, on Thursday, following a delay prompted by U. S. government requests over escalating national security concerns regarding the potential misuse of powerful AI technologies. The release comes amid a global race between the United States and China to develop cutting-edge AI. Experts warn that such advanced models could dramatically accelerate sophisticated cyberattacks on sectors reliant on complex, often decades-old technology systems. Washington has intensified its scrutiny of advanced AI model releases, aiming to identify potential threats and prevent misuse . Similarly, Chinese authorities have held discussions with top tech firms about potentially restricting overseas access to their own advanced AI models, including those yet to be released. In a related development, OpenAI competitor Anthropic had temporarily disabled its most advanced AI models, Mythos 5 and Fable 5, for all users following a U. S. government export control order on June 12, citing national security concerns. These curbs were lifted last week after Anthropic implemented certain safeguards. Axios, which first reported on the OpenAI launch, indicated that the Trump administration had approved a broad release of GPT-5.6 after additional testing and meetings between the company and government officials. The White House and the U. Department of Commerce did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. open image in gallery Washington has intensified its scrutiny of advanced AI model releases, aiming to identify potential threats and prevent misuse (POOL/AFP via ) OpenAI had previously limited GPT-5.6 access to a small group of vetted partners, whose details were shared with authorities. The ChatGPT owner announced via an X post late on Tuesday that it would launch its most capable model, GPT-5.6 Sol, alongside the lower-cost Terra and Luna models. OpenAI had previously touted improved "agentic capabilities" in coding, biology, and cybersecurity when it previewed the models in late June, noting GPT-5.6 Sol's competitiveness with Anthropic's Mythos Preview on the ExploitBench cybersecurity benchmark. Meanwhile, billionaire Elon Musk announced Wednesday that his company, SpaceXAI, is also making its leading model, Grok 4.5, available to the public. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order establishing a voluntary framework under which AI developers could provide "covered frontier models" to the U. S. government for up to 30 days before releasing them to trusted partners. While Washington has lifted export controls for Anthropic's Fable model, Mythos, which is designed for cybersecurity professionals, is still only available to some "trusted" U.