Breaking

OpenAI rolls out GPT-6 Astra with computer use, async tools, and mid-turn steering

September 4, 2026 at 16:52 EDT

Foundation Models
AI Agents
Software Dev & Coding

OpenAI has begun rolling out GPT-6 Astra, its new flagship model, as a system built for long-running agents that can operate computers, keep working while tools run, and accept course corrections before a response finishes. The company calls Astra its most intelligent and aligned model yet and says it is state of the art on computer use, browsing, software engineering, cybersecurity, science, and professional work.

September 3, 2026 · OpenAI

GPT-6 Astra takes the desktop

OpenAI’s new flagship pairs computer use with async tool calls and mid-turn steering so agents can run longer jobs, change course mid-task, and finish more of the work on screen.

99.9%

ARC-AGI-3 (OpenAI harness)

1.9×

Faster on Mind2Web vs Sol

1.05M

Token context window

$10/$50

Per 1M input/output tokens

Desktop tasks, finished sooner

OSWorld 2.0 average time per task. Each block = 5 minutes. Astra scores 72.6% in ~40 min; GPT-5.6 Sol scores 65.7% in ~75 min.

75 min

GPT-5.6 Sol
15 blocks

40 min

GPT-6 Astra
8 blocks · 47% less time

How a long job stays on track

Computer use

Click, type, and move across real apps.

→

Async tool calls

Keep reasoning while a tool still runs.

→

Mid-turn steering

Add a correction without restarting.

→

Finished artifact

Docs, code, or UI ready for review.

What is landing

Developers are using steering to redirect long jobs, and Playco reported 50% fewer manual fixes in game prototypes. Scope overreach on OpenAI’s impossible-task test fell from 48% to 0% versus Sol.

What is still constrained

Plus access is still staged after Pro and Business. Astra may over-ask or over-test, and safety monitors can pause legitimate work. Advanced exploit tasks remain refused outside Daybreak.

Cyber posture

First OpenAI model at the Critical cybersecurity level — public Astra refuses proof-of-concept exploits.

ExploitBench 100% Daybreak for defenders Enterprise off by default

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