Radar · Release slowed for safety testing · no date announced
OpenAI
Astra
Astra is confirmed; the GPT‑6 and Doug names remain rumors
OpenAI officially said preliminary evidence suggests its upcoming Astra model may meet the Critical cybersecurity threshold, prompting stronger monitoring and testing. This is not a final Critical designation. SemiAnalysis separately links a future GPT‑6 to the codename Doug, but OpenAI has confirmed neither that name nor a connection to Astra.
The reliable signal is Astra's existence and its additional safety regime. GPT‑5.7, GPT‑6 and Doug are listed only as naming possibilities: claims about completed pretraining, Vera Rubin or a separate post-GPT‑6 model lack primary confirmation. Timing, pricing and access remain unknown.
Sources
OpenAI: pacing model development for cyber-critical capabilitiesThe main current source: OpenAI names Astra as an upcoming model and reports preliminary evidence that it may reach the Critical threshold.Open primary source Greg Brockman: Astra is OpenAI's next major modelPrimary confirmation of the Astra name and its status as OpenAI's next major model, alongside ten research results from an internal version.Open primary source Axios: OpenAI slows Astra over cyber capabilitiesOpenAI told Axios it cannot yet rule out Critical cyber capabilities and is therefore expanding testing and slowing development.Open primary source The Information: OpenAI previews ‘Astra’ AI model in DCThe originating journalistic source for the Astra name and Washington preview; the full article is paywalled.Open primary source Semafor: Altman returns to DC to brief officials on an advanced modelIndependently supports the Washington-briefing context, but does not name Astra.Open primary source OpenAI model release notesControl check: the latest announced model is GPT‑5.6 Sol; Astra and GPT‑6 are not listed.Open primary source SemiAnalysis Weekly Ep. 023The source of the rumor that GPT‑6 may be codenamed Doug and write especially well; this is not OpenAI confirmation.Open primary source X: alternative Astra / GPT‑6 / Doug interpretationAn example of the stronger rumor that treats Astra, GPT‑6 and Doug as separate models; it provides no primary evidence.Open primary source