OpenAI Limits GPT-5.6 to 20 Government-Approved Partners

On June 26, 2026, OpenAI began a limited preview of its latest frontier model family, GPT-5.6, restricting initial access to roughly 20 vetted organizations at the request of the U.S. government and sharing those participants' details with authorities. The rollout covers three models — the flagship "Sol," the balanced, lower-cost "Terra," and the fast, low-cost "Luna" — and OpenAI's official announcement stated that "at their request, we are starting with a limited preview for a small group of trusted partners whose participation has been shared with the government, before releasing more broadly."