OpenAI's GPT-5.6 Gets Green Light from US Commerce Dept

The U.S. Department of Commerce approved a broad launch of OpenAI's GPT-5.6 model after additional government testing, the agency said. The approval marks the first major rollout under Washington's new oversight framework for advanced artificial intelligence.

OpenAI, the White House, and the Commerce Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The exact scope of the additional testing was not disclosed.

The framework, established under the Biden administration's executive order on AI, requires developers of powerful models to share safety test results with the government before public release. The GPT-5.6 approval suggests the process can work without blocking innovation, though critics have warned it could slow deployment.

OpenAI has not detailed GPT-5.6's capabilities. The model is expected to succeed GPT-4, which powers ChatGPT and a range of enterprise tools. Microsoft, OpenAI's largest investor and primary cloud partner, has integrated earlier models into its Azure platform and Office products. The approval removes a regulatory hurdle for that partnership.

The decision also sets a precedent for competitors. Google, Meta, and Anthropic all have advanced models in development that would fall under the same testing regime. A smooth approval for OpenAI could signal a predictable path for others.

Shares of Microsoft, which has invested more than $13 billion in OpenAI, were little changed in after-hours trading. The broader AI sector has been watching the Commerce Department's approach closely, as any delay or rejection would have raised questions about the viability of the oversight system.

The Commerce Department did not say when GPT-5.6 would be available to the public. OpenAI typically rolls out new models gradually, starting with developers and enterprise customers.