OpenAI Plans US-Approved Limited Launch for ChatGPT 5.6, Report Says

OpenAI is reportedly preparing a limited rollout of its upcoming ChatGPT 5.6 model, with early access restricted to customers approved by the US government before a wider public release. The move follows a recent executive order from US President Donald Trump encouraging voluntary federal review of advanced AI models.

According to a report by The Information, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman informed employees in an internal memo that federal authorities will approve access on a 'customer-by-customer' basis during an initial preview period. A broader release is expected a few weeks later, the memo added.

The development comes after President Trump signed an executive order earlier this month urging AI companies to submit their most advanced models for voluntary federal review before public launch. Multiple US agencies, including the Office of the National Cyber Director, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Department of Commerce, are reportedly involved in shaping the review process.

Altman reportedly acknowledged that OpenAI does not view the current arrangement as a long-term solution. According to the memo, the company has informed the US government that it will continue working with officials and industry partners to establish a more sustainable process for future AI releases.

The planned rollout follows recent restrictions imposed on rival AI company Anthropic, which suspended access to two of its latest models after receiving a federal directive blocking availability to foreign nationals, citing security concerns.

These developments have raised questions about how voluntary the US government's AI review process will be in practice. While the executive order describes the reviews as voluntary, recent actions involving both OpenAI and Anthropic suggest federal oversight of advanced AI models may become more active before public deployment.

OpenAI has not officially announced the release timeline for ChatGPT 5.6 or confirmed the reported government approval process. If implemented, it would mark one of the first major AI launches in which access is controlled through a government-supervised preview before wider availability.