OpenAI has delayed the public release of its latest AI model, GPT-5.6. The move follows a request from the U.S. government for early access to the frontier model.
The request is part of a voluntary pre-launch testing protocol established by a Trump administration executive order. OpenAI had previewed GPT-5.6 to a limited set of vetted U.S. partners, with a broader public release initially planned in the coming weeks.
This delay has significantly impacted market expectations for the launch timeline. Prediction markets now show a sharp decrease in confidence for a near-term release. The likelihood of a June 30, 2026, release has fallen to just 0.7%. Conversely, the probability of a July 31 release has surged to 88.5%.
The postponement may also affect OpenAI's competitive standing in the AI model rankings, potentially benefiting rivals like Anthropic. Observers will be monitoring for any official announcement of a new release date from OpenAI or CEO Sam Altman.