OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, announced on Friday that it is limiting the launch of its latest artificial intelligence model following a request from the U.S. government under President Donald Trump. This move is part of increased government scrutiny on AI products due to potential cybersecurity threats.
The new AI model, named GPT-5.6 Sol, will initially only be accessible to a select group of approved partners designated by the Trump administration. OpenAI emphasized that this governmental vetting process should not be the standard procedure moving forward.
The company stated that this restricted release is a temporary measure as they work towards a wider availability of the AI model in the near future. This decision comes in the wake of similar actions taken against OpenAI’s competitor, Anthropic, which had to take down its AI models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5, to comply with a directive barring their use by non-U.S. nationals.
The White House confirmed its ongoing collaboration with leading AI labs to address the challenges posed by the rapid advancement of AI technology. Concerns have escalated since Anthropic highlighted the potential of its Mythos model to exploit software vulnerabilities, posing a threat to global computer networks.
President Trump’s executive order on AI oversight, signed in June, established a framework requiring a 30-day security assessment of advanced AI systems before public release. OpenAI clarified that its Sol model is primarily focused on identifying and addressing vulnerabilities rather than engaging in cyberattacks. However, the company acknowledged potential risks, particularly when the model is integrated with other tools.
Cybersecurity experts have criticized the government’s actions against Anthropic, with concerns raised about the shutdown of Fable. Stanford University cybersecurity expert Alex Stamos expressed disbelief in the justifications provided for these actions, emphasizing that similar risks exist with publicly available AI models from other countries, including China.
As the debate over AI regulation continues, industry experts stress the importance of balancing security concerns with fostering innovation in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
