White House approves latest OpenAI launch - report

ChatGPT-owner OpenAI is to roll out its latest model after the Trump administration lifted temporary restrictions, it was reported on Wednesday.

Washington has ramped up oversight of artificial intelligence over concerns that systems could be misused, especially by other countries such as China or Russia. Beijing is also understood to be considering limited overseas access to some domestic AI models.

However, according to Axios, the White House has now approved a broad launch of OpenAI’s GPT-5.6, following additional testing and meetings with the company. OpenAI confirmed in a brief social media post late on Tuesday that it would now roll out its most capable model, GPT-5.6 Sol, globally this Thursday alongside the lower cost Terra and Luna versions.

OpenAI, run by Sam Altman, is investing billions as it seeks to challenge rivals such as Anthropic and dominate the booming AI market. It is understood to remain loss-making, but in June confirmed it had confidentially filed for an initial public offering with the US Security and Exchange Commission in New York.

It did not disclose the size of the offering, nor a timeline. However, according to multiple reports, it is understood to be seeking a valuation of around $1trn and could list as soon as September. Claude-owner Anthropic also confirmed last month tha it too was pursuing an IPO, after its last fundraising valued it at around $965bn.

However, concerns are growing that global investor appetite for the AI boom might be waning. Earlier this week shares in Samsung plunged despite the South Korean chipmaker confirming a 19-fold surge in quarterly profits, as shareholders took profits.