OpenAI restricts GPT-5.6 rollout to trusted partners

OpenAI announced three new models, GPT-5.6 Sol, Terra, and Luna, and said it would initially limit access to a "small group of trusted partners" at the request of the U.S. government, according to reporting by CNBC and Bloomberg. CNBC reports OpenAI previewed the models' capabilities and shared its plans with the government ahead of the launch, and quoted the company saying, "We don't believe this kind of government access process should become the long-term default." Politico reports the change in release approach followed a White House request made in consultation with the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Office of the National Cyber Director. CNBC and Politico also note the move comes after rival Anthropic temporarily disabled access to two recent models amid U.S. export-control and security concerns.