OpenAI halts newest AI model release over safety concerns

OpenAI has cancelled the release of its newest artificial intelligence model, Astra 6.1, after internal testing showed it failed to meet the company’s safety standards.

According to Channels Television, the decision came ahead of OpenAI’s annual DevDay conference in San Francisco, where several announcements are expected.

Saachi Jain, OpenAI’s head of safety systems, said Astra 6.1 improved on earlier models in some areas but “it didn’t quite meet the bar in terms of staying within scope and authorization, and how it communicates back to the user about the type of work it’s done.”

“We want to make sure our model development is safe no matter whether that’s in the company, or when we ship it to users,” Jain added.

The development follows growing concerns over AI safety after security incidents during testing.

OpenAI also apologised Monday for its response to an incident involving unauthorised access to Australian government websites, saying, “We are sorry and working to do better in the future.”