OpenAI Delays Release of Open Model Indefinitely for Safety Testing

OpenAI delays the release of its open model, again | TechCrunch

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said Friday the company is delaying the release of its open model, which was already pushed back a month earlier in this summer. OpenAI had planned to release the model next week, however Altman said the company is pushing it back indefinitely for further safety testing. "We need time to run additional safety tests and review high-risk areas. we are not yet sure how long it will take us," said Altman in a post on X. "While we trust the community will build great things with this model, once weights are out, they can't be pulled back. This is new for us and we want to get it right." OpenAI's open model release is one of the most highly anticipated AI events of the summer, alongside the ChatGPT-maker's expected release of GPT-5. Through these launches, OpenAI will attempt to maintain its spot as Silicon Valley's leading AI lab -- an increasingly difficult tasks as xAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic invest billions of dollars in their own efforts. The delay means developers will have to wait a little longer to try the first open model OpenAI has released in years. TechCrunch previously reported that OpenAI's open model is expected to have similar reasoning capabilities to the company's o-series of models, and that OpenAI planned for it to be best-in-class compared to other open models. The ecosystem of open AI models became a little more competitive this week. Earlier on Friday, Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI launched Kimi K2, a one trillion parameter open AI model that outperforms OpenAI's GPT-4.1 AI model on several agentic-coding benchmarks. In June, when Altman announced the initial delays around OpenAI's open model, he noted that the company had achieved something "unexpected and quite amazing," but didn't elaborate on what that was. "Capability wise, we think the model is phenomenal -- but our bar for an open source model is high and we think we need some more time to make sure we're releasing a model we're proud of along every axis," said Aidan Clark, OpenAI's VP of research, in a post on X Friday. TechCrunch previously reported that OpenAI leaders have discussed enabling the open AI model to connect to the company's cloud-hosted AI models for complex queries. However, it's unclear if these features will make it into the final open model.

OpenAI delays launch of open-weight AI model for additional safety testing - The Economic Times

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced on Saturday that the company is postponing the release of its much-anticipated open-weight AI model, due for launch next week. In a post on X, Altman said that the delay is needed to conduct safety tests on the model and review high-risk areas, emphasising the unprecedented nature of releasing such a model and the irreversible nature of publishing model weights. "We need time to run additional safety tests and review high-risk areas. We are not yet sure how long it will take us," Altman wrote, adding, "While we trust the community will build great things with this model, once weights are out, they can't be pulled back." This is the second time OpenAI's open model release has been pushed, pointing to the company's cautious approach around AI safety and governance. The open-weight model is supposed to have reasoning capabilities similar to the ChatGPT maker's o-series models. Altman's attention to safety also comes as the company faces scrutiny around its leadership and safety culture. Multiple senior executives have left the company, saying that it no longer prioritises safety around the technology.

OpenAI Postpones Open Model Release Indefinitely: 'We Need Time,' Says Sam Altman

Enter your email to get Benzinga's ultimate morning update: The PreMarket Activity Newsletter OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced on Friday that the company is delaying the release of its open model, which had already been postponed earlier this summer. What Happened: The release, initially scheduled for next week, is now on hold indefinitely to allow for additional safety testing, according to a TechCrunch report. Altman emphasized the need for further safety evaluations and a review of high-risk areas. "We need time to run additional safety tests and review high-risk areas. We are not yet sure how long it will take us," Altman stated in a post on X. He added that while the community is expected to create significant advancements with this model, once the weights are released, they cannot be retracted. Subscribe to the Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox. The open model's release is one of the most anticipated AI events this summer, alongside the expected launch of GPT-5 by OpenAI. Unlike GPT-5, the open model will be available for developers to download and operate locally. TechCrunch noted that the delay means developers will have to wait longer to access OpenAI's first open model in years. See Also: Elon Musk Teams Up With Philippine Billionaire For Satellite Internet Service In Southeast Asia: Report Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI launched Kimi K2, a one-trillion-parameter open AI model, which reportedly surpasses OpenAI's GPT-4.1 in several benchmarks. OpenAI's VP of research, Aidan Clark, stated that while the model is "phenomenal," the company aims to ensure it meets high standards before release. Why It Matters: The delay in OpenAI's open model release comes amid a highly competitive landscape in the AI industry. Recently, Elon Musk's xAI launched Grok 4, touted as the most powerful AI model, surpassing OpenAI's ChatGPT. This model is available through a premium subscription, indicating a shift towards monetizing advanced AI capabilities. Additionally, Google recently secured a $2.4 billion deal with Windsurf Technology, acquiring key personnel and technology to bolster its AI capabilities. This move highlights the fierce competition among tech giants to dominate the AI sector. OpenAI's recent recruitment of Apple's data center chief and its $6.4 billion acquisition of Jony Ive's hardware startup underscore its commitment to enhancing its infrastructure and technological prowess. These strategic moves are crucial as OpenAI navigates the challenges of releasing its open model amid rising competition and technological advancements. Read Next: Elon Musk Rejects Reports That xAI Is Looking To Raise Additional Funds At $200 Billion Valuation: 'We Have Plenty Of Capital' Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Photo courtesy: jamesonwu1972 / Shutterstock.com Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs