OpenAI set for wider GPT-5.6 launch after US approval: Report

The U.S. Department of Commerce has approved a broader rollout of OpenAI's advanced GPT-5.6 model, according to Axios, which cited a source familiar with the matter. The approval follows additional testing and discussions between OpenAI and U.S. government officials.According to the report, OpenAI is expected to make GPT-5.6 widely available later this week. Testing was carried out by the Department of Commerce's Center for AI Standards and Innovation, with OpenAI's technical experts remaining in Washington to address questions raised during the evaluation process.Also Read: OpenAI unveils GPT 5.6 with Sol, Terra and Luna models; broad rollout delayed after US requestThe broader launch marks a shift from the model's initial rollout last month, when the Trump administration requested that OpenAI limit access to a small group of trusted partners whose participation had been shared with the government. At the time, the company said the phased release was not its preferred approach and described it as a temporary measure while discussions continued on a framework for releasing advanced AI models.OpenAI had also said it did not want government access reviews to become the standard process for future model launches. The company maintained that the temporary restrictions delayed access for users, developers, businesses, cybersecurity professionals and global partners that could benefit from its latest AI systems.The development comes as the U.S. government has increased scrutiny of frontier AI models. OpenAI's GPT-5.6 release was initially delayed as officials reviewed the model before allowing wider deployment. According to Axios, the latest approval clears the way for a broader public launch after the company completed additional testing and engaged with government officials over the model's release.