Citing two people familiar with the matter, the media reported that OpenAI will release its latest artificial intelligence model GPT 5.6 in stages after the Trump administration requested it. The report said people familiar with the matter cited OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's speech at an employee question and answer session on Wednesday and a memo.
OpenAI will release a limited preview of GPT 5.6 to a small number of partners first, which Altman said is the best path to broadly releasing the model as quickly as possible.
Altman told employees in a memo on Thursday that the government would approve access "on a customer-by-customer basis" during the GPT 5.6 preview.
Over the past month, OpenAI employees have worked closely with government agencies on previews of its latest models.
Altman said in the memo: "We have made it clear to the U.S. government that this is not our preferred long-term model and will work with the government and industry to find more sustainable solutions for future product releases."
According to the report, the phased release requirement stems from OpenAI’s communication with the Office of the National Cyber Director and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Spokespersons for the White House and the Office of the National Cyber Director did not respond to The Information's requests for comment.