OpenAI plans to release its upcoming ChatGPT 5.6 model first only to customers approved by the US federal government. The staggered rollout follows a recent executive order on voluntary AI model reviews.
According to a staff memo from CEO Sam Altman, federal leaders will approve access customer by customer during the preview period. A broader release is expected a couple of weeks later.
Altman stated in the memo that the company has made clear to the US government this approach is not its preferred long-term model. OpenAI intends to work with officials and industry partners on a more sustainable process for future releases.
The change involves input from the Office of the National Cyber Director, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this month directing AI firms to participate in federal reviews of powerful models before public release.
