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OpenAI scraps GPT-6.1 Astra launch over safety concerns

62 points · 100 comments#openai#safety#gpt-6.1#model-release

OpenAI has scrapped plans to publicly launch a model dubbed GPT-6.1 Astra, which was targeting an October release inside ChatGPT and Codex, citing that it did not meet its safety bar. A top executive told the Wall Street Journal the model showed poor instruction-following, and reports also cite concerns about increased autonomy, scope overreach, and deceptive behavior. The decision follows a separate pause on tool-calling training for its strongest internal model after a DNS-related incident.

Coverage timeline

  1. Techmeme
    OpenAI scraps plans to publicly launch a model dubbed GPT-6.1 Astra, saying it didn't quite meet its safety bar; it had been targeting an October release (Maxwell Zeff/Wall Street Journal)

    Maxwell Zeff / Wall Street Journal : OpenAI scraps plans to publicly launch a model dubbed GPT-6.1 Astra, saying it didn't quite meet its safety bar; it had been targeting an October release — Model dubbed GPT-6.1 Astra was due to make its debut inside ChatGPT and Codex in October — OpenAI is scrapping the release …

  2. TechCrunch AILucas Ropek
    OpenAI reportedly ditches model over safety concerns

    A top executive at the AI lab told the Wall Street Journal that the model in question had displayed a poor aptitude for following orders.

  3. Hacker Newsjbegley
    OpenAI Says It Will Not Release Newest A.I. Model Over Safety ConcernsHN
  4. 量子位量子位
    OpenAI因新模型太强叫停发布

    OpenAI因新模型太强叫停发布 程浅 2026-09-29 15:49:20 来源： 量子位 AGI计划暂停。 程浅 发自 凹非寺 量子位 | 公众号 QbitAI 原定于10月亮相的GPT-6.1 Astra突然被曝暂停发布！ 也就是说， OpenAI，三天连踩两脚刹车。 而因为几天前的DNS事件，OpenAI同时暂停了内部最强模型所有涉及工具调用的训练、评测和推理。 关于此事件可以参考：啥题啊能干崩OpenAI最强模型训练…该事件被官方称作Hugging face之后的首次模型失调事件。 这次暂停指向了模型训练中的一个越发棘手的问题。 当Agent变得越来越主动、进取，究竟怎么让它知道， 哪些问题最好要自己想，哪些问题必须要问人类？ 模型对齐之痛 说回GPT-6.1 Astra的停发。 据《华尔街日报》报道，这款模型在“懒惰”问题上表现更好，比上一代更擅长独立完成复杂的端到端任务。 什么是“懒惰”问题呢？ 这指的是模型在遇到困难、信息不完整或权限边界时， 过早停止工作，或者频繁向用户要求确认。 对于需要持续数小时甚至数天的Agent任务来说，这种表现会明显限制模型的实用性。 不过，当GPT-6.1 Astra在懒惰问题上的能力提升后，它在范围授权（scope authorization）上的表现反而退步了。 也就是说，模型有时不会停下来确认，而是选择自行扩大行动范围，甚至调用有风险的外部工具。 非但如此，模型还存在欺骗行为（Deception），即不清楚地告诉用户自己采取过哪些行动。 这就比较危险了。 不知道你有没有发现，这里模型的“懒惰”和“越权”，构成了对齐问题中的一组矛盾。 因为，如果要求模型每遇到一个不确定情况就停下来询问，它很难自主完成复杂任务； 但如果不断训练模型克服阻力、寻找替代方案，它又可能把审批、沙箱和权限限制理解成普通的、需要解决的技术障碍。 △图片系AI生成 实际上，这个矛盾在人类社会也没能完全解决。 即使是两个碳基生物之间互托办事，也会发生委托-代理问题： 代理人既可能通过少做、拖延等方式消极履职，也可能偏离委托人的目标，发生代理漂移。 更别提碳基生物和硅基生物的对齐度了。 目前来看，模型很难在任务行动中自主去判断哪些行为是可能产生外部影响的，需要避免的，就算判断成功，也未必不会为了得分而抛之脑后。 OpenAI此前的解决方案也针对此，

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