Trump Administration Requests OpenAI Limit GPT-5.6 Release

The Trump administration has requested OpenAI to limit the initial release of its GPT-5.6 model to a small group of government-approved partners. This measure comes as federal officials evaluate the model under a new federal testing framework designed for advanced AI systems.

This intervention marks the second instance this month where the U.S. government has intervened to restrict access to an AI model. Previously, the administration ordered Anthropic to suspend public access to its Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models due to national security implications. Reports suggest that the request regarding GPT-5.6 is specifically motivated by its advanced capabilities, similar to those of Anthropic’s models.

According to sources familiar with the situation, the Office of the National Cyber Director and the Office of Science and Technology Policy are involved in this decision. The administration initiated this evaluation framework following President Trump’s executive order aimed at establishing a robust testing protocol for advanced AI models prior to their broader rollout.

Discussions on AI regulation have gained momentum in recent months. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, has testified before Congress, advocating for the creation of a regulatory body to oversee advanced AI systems, emphasizing the need for independent oversight.

Furthermore, Anthropic’s CEO, Dario Amodei, has highlighted the importance of subjecting the most capable AI models to rigorous evaluations to mitigate potential risks, including cyber threats and implications for national security.

As companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google continue to develop frontier AI technologies, their proposals for regulation and oversight are being increasingly recognized and debated within governmental frameworks.