OpenAI GPT 5.6 Release Staggered After US Govt Request

OpenAI is staggering the release of its new AI model, GPT 5.6, following a request from the US government. The company's CEO, Sam Altman, stated this week that the federal government asked for this staggered approach. What's interesting is that access to GPT 5.6 will initially be limited to a small group of partners, with the government approving each customer during this preview period. A wider release is planned a couple of weeks later, assuming the process goes smoothly. This move echoes a similar situation with OpenAI's rival, Anthropic, which pulled its Mythos model after the US government ordered it to stop foreign nationals from accessing public versions. The government's concerns stem from the powerful cyber-hacking capabilities of some advanced AI models. The bottom line is that the US government is actively vetting powerful new AI models before their release, marking a shift in its approach to AI regulation.