Trump administration has requested a slow release of OpenAI’s newest models. Sound familiar? Anthropic is doing the same.

🤖 GPT-5.6 Hits the Brakes

  • OpenAI will roll out its new set of models with a limited preview after the White House said “Whachu got there?” Its new GPT-5.6 family — Sol, Terra and Luna — will first go to select users after the Trump administration requested a slower rollout.
  • Don't confuse Terra and Luna with Do Kwon’s crypto duo that imploded a few years ago. Different story, different drama. But also, Sol? Who comes up with these names?
  • OpenAI says broader availability is still expected in the coming weeks. In a blog post, OpenAI said government review shouldn't become the “long-term default” because it delays access for developers, businesses, researchers and cybersecurity teams.

🛡️ AI Safety Takes Center Stage

  • The cautious approach isn't entirely new. AI companies are increasingly staggering releases of their most capable models to better understand potential cybersecurity risks before putting them into millions of hands.
  • Anthropic has already walked a similar path. After launching its powerful Claude Fable 5 model, the company later suspended access to Fable 5 and the even more capable Mythos 5 following US export restrictions tied to national security concerns.
  • The result is a new pattern across the AI industry: cutting-edge models may no longer go from lab to laptop overnight. Instead, expect phased rollouts while developers, governments and security experts test where the sharp edges might be.

📈 IPO Plans Cooling Already?

  • OpenAI's caution may extend beyond product launches. A New York Times report last week said the company is considering delaying until next year after SpaceX's blockbuster public debut quickly turned into a .
  • With an estimated valuation above $850 billion, OpenAI would rank among the largest listings in history. Anthropic is also up there with a .
  • Waiting for calmer market conditions could help avoid launching into an environment where trillion-dollar valuations face intense scrutiny (and fewer bagholders).