OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, announced on Friday that it is limiting the launch of its latest artificial intelligence model at the request of the Trump administration. This move comes as part of the government’s extensive scrutiny of AI technologies that could potentially pose cybersecurity threats.
The new AI model, named GPT-5.6 Sol, will initially be accessible only to a select group of approved partners designated by the Trump administration, according to OpenAI. The company emphasized that it does not intend for this government review process to become a permanent fixture, stating that it is a temporary measure leading towards wider availability in the near future.
OpenAI’s controlled rollout of the advanced AI system follows recent actions taken by the government against Anthropic, a competitor of OpenAI known for the creation of the Claude chatbot. Anthropic voluntarily took down its latest AI models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5, shortly after their public release to comply with a directive from the Trump administration prohibiting their use by non-U.S. nationals.
In response to concerns raised by Anthropic about potential cybersecurity risks associated with its Mythos model, the White House declared its ongoing collaboration with leading AI research labs to address the challenges of scaling up this rapidly advancing technology.
President Trump issued an executive order in June focusing on AI oversight, establishing a framework that mandates a 30-day evaluation period by the federal government to assess the national security implications of cutting-edge AI systems before their public launch. OpenAI confirmed that its new Sol model primarily aids in identifying and rectifying vulnerabilities rather than engaging in cyberattacks, although it acknowledged the existence of unforeseen risks, especially when the model is integrated with other tools.
Notably, cybersecurity experts have criticized the government’s actions prompting Anthropic to disable the Fable model, which was positioned as a safer alternative to Mythos. The model has remained offline for two weeks, drawing skepticism from industry experts who question the factual basis behind the government’s intervention.
Alex Stamos, a cybersecurity expert from Stanford University and currently the chief product officer at Corridor, highlighted that the concerns raised by the administration regarding AI models like Fable lack substantial evidence. Stamos emphasized the importance of maintaining a competitive edge against countries like China in the AI race, cautioning against counterproductive measures that could hinder technological progress.
Overall, OpenAI’s decision to restrict the release of its new AI model reflects a broader trend of heightened scrutiny and regulation surrounding advanced AI technologies in the interest of national security.
