OpenAI has launched GPT-6 Astra, its latest flagship artificial intelligence model, describing it as its “most intelligent and aligned” model yet.
The new model is designed to handle complex, multi-step work across software engineering, computer use, scientific research, cybersecurity and professional tasks. OpenAI says Astra can also create documents, spreadsheets and presentations while following user-provided templates and instructions.
The rollout began with a limited group of organisations, with OpenAI planning to make Astra available to ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise users, as well as through its API and AWS.
GPT-6 Astra and the AGI debate
The launch has also reignited the long-running debate over artificial general intelligence (AGI).
OpenAI President Greg Brockman reportedly suggested that people could look back on Astra as a point when AGI was created. He said he personally believed “we’re there” and described the moment as the beginning of an “AGI era.”
However, that should not be confused with a formal technical declaration that AGI has been achieved. OpenAI’s own launch material describes Astra in terms of its capabilities, performance and alignment rather than defining the model as AGI.
Cybersecurity is a major focus
One of the most significant aspects of GPT-6 Astra is its cybersecurity capability.
OpenAI says Astra is its first model to reach the Critical level of cybersecurity capability under the company’s Preparedness Framework. At this level, the model can, with appropriate tools and access, identify previously unknown security flaws and develop ways to exploit vulnerabilities in highly protected systems without a person guiding every step.
OpenAI said Astra discovered two previously unknown vulnerabilities during internal evaluations and that the vulnerabilities were disclosed to the relevant maintainers.
Because the same capabilities can potentially be used defensively or maliciously, OpenAI has introduced additional safeguards and initially restricted access to its most advanced cybersecurity capabilities. Trusted defenders can access them through the company’s Daybreak Blue programme.
Astra targets complex, autonomous computer work
OpenAI says GPT-6 Astra can independently handle a broad range of computer-based tasks, including website creation, coding, scientific analysis and game development.
The company is also positioning the model as a significant productivity tool for professional work. Astra can carry out multi-step workflows and generate polished documents, presentations and spreadsheets while adapting to templates and requirements supplied by users.
OpenAI highlighted the potential time savings from using Astra as an autonomous agent. One example cited by the company involves apartment hunting, which it says could be reduced from several hours to minutes.
Stronger performance across AI benchmarks
OpenAI says Astra delivers major improvements across computer-use, professional and scientific benchmarks.
Among the figures highlighted by the company, Astra achieved 99.9% on ARC-AGI-3, 98% on FrontierMath Tier 4 and 100% on ExploitBench. OpenAI also reported strong results in computer-use and professional-work evaluations.
The company says the model is particularly capable of navigating unfamiliar computer environments, carrying out complex tasks and producing usable outputs with fewer iterations.
Launch comes amid AI safety concerns
The Astra launch comes as scrutiny around increasingly autonomous AI systems intensifies.
OpenAI has emphasised that greater capability requires stronger safeguards. Its safety assessment says Astra represents a substantial increase in cyber capabilities and has prompted additional protections around potentially harmful actions.
OpenAI has also acknowledged challenges in monitoring increasingly capable models and has expanded its safety and security measures as part of the rollout.
When will GPT-6 Astra be available?
GPT-6 Astra is initially being rolled out to a limited group of organisations. OpenAI says wider access will follow over the coming days for ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise users.
Developers will also be able to access Astra through the OpenAI API, while the model is being made available through Amazon Web Services.
The launch marks OpenAI’s latest push to move AI beyond conversational assistance towards systems capable of carrying out complex, end-to-end digital work.
