OpenAI rolls out GPT-6 Astra, touting major AI performance gains

OpenAI on Thursday unveiled GPT-6 Astra, a new artificial intelligence (AI) model the tech company says features major improvements in computer use, coding, scientific research and professional work.

The San Francisco-based company said Astra is rolling out starting Thursday to enterprise customers with Daybreak access. In the coming days, it will also roll out to ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise users, as well as through the OpenAI API and Amazon Web Services.

“GPT-6 Astra is built on advances across pre-training, reinforcement learning, and alignment, bringing together years of research and big bets,” OpenAI said. “Astra is state-of-the-art on computer use, browser use, software engineering, cybersecurity, science, and professional work.”

In an interview with FOX Business Network’s “The Claman Countdown” following the launch, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called Astra the company’s “most aligned model ever,” saying it sets “a new standard” for safety as AI models become more capable.

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OpenAI’s headquarters in San Francisco Aug. 14, 2025. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

“We have set a new standard with this model. It’s why it took us a while to get it out, but we think it’ll be worth the wait,” Altman said.

The model’s release marks the latest milestone in the company’s push toward artificial general intelligence (AGI) which the company defines as “highly autonomous systems that outperform humans at most economically valuable work,” according to the OpenAI website.

Speaking to reporters before the launch, OpenAI President Greg Brockman framed Astra as a turning point for AGI.

“I think it’s not unreasonable to feel that we are now in the AGI era,” Brockman said.

The new model can carry out “tedious” computer-based tasks, such as filling out online forms, updating customer records, organizing calendars and conducting research.

OpenAI also said Astra can create documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

“GPT-6 Astra is the best model for software engineering to date,” the company added.

Altman said that one of the capabilities that impressed him was Astra’s ability to identify problems that users had not even considered.

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“Not only could it excel at doing a bunch of research about, you know, a complex supply chain for chips that we’re trying to produce. …  But parts of that task that I didn’t even ask it for, it can come back and say, ‘You didn’t think to ask me…