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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman apologized on September 4 after GPT-6 Astra frustrated paying users during its launch. The model was released on September 3 with limited enterprise access through OpenAI’s Daybreak cybersecurity platform.
Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise subscribers expected access soon after. However, many users faced delays while OpenAI managed the staggered rollout.
OpenAI had promoted GPT-6 Astra as a major capability jump and the beginning of its AGI era. However, the launch quickly shifted from model performance to access problems across paid ChatGPT plans. Pro subscribers were particularly frustrated after expecting priority access during the highly promoted release.
Altman addressed the backlash on X and acknowledged the problems directly. “We are working towards getting Astra in everyone’s hands as quickly as we can,” he wrote. He also admitted the situation felt frustrating for users awaiting access.
The main issue remained unresolved, as OpenAI did not provide a firm date for broader GPT-6 Astra availability. Altman said access could arrive during the weekend, while stressing that the company could not promise it.
OpenAI offered compensation instead of a specific delivery commitment. Codex engineering lead Thibault Sottiaux said paid users would receive one banked reset for each day without Astra access. The resets would provide additional usage allowances while access remained restricted.
The rollout also faced problems with OpenAI’s launch materials, adding another setback to the high-profile release. Astra had already faced weeks of delays while OpenAI strengthened safety systems around its advanced capabilities.
The model reportedly crossed OpenAI’s critical cybersecurity capability threshold, raising both performance expectations and safety concerns. Its delayed rollout now highlights another challenge for OpenAI: delivering frontier AI without compromising reliability.
For paying subscribers, the apology addressed frustration but left the biggest question unanswered. A clear access date could matter more than extra usage credits as OpenAI expands Astra.
Also Read: OpenAI GPT-6 Astra Launches with Critical-Level Cybersecurity Skills
