OpenAI has indefinitely delayed the release of its open-weight AI model for the second time, citing the need for additional safety testing and review of high-risk areas before making the model publicly available. Originally scheduled for release next week, CEO Sam Altman announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the company requires more time to ensure the model meets safety standards, emphasizing that once the model’s weights are released, they cannot be retracted.
This cautious approach reflects OpenAI’s commitment to responsible AI governance, especially given the unprecedented nature of releasing such a powerful open model. The open-weight model is expected to have reasoning capabilities comparable to OpenAI’s o-series models and is highly anticipated by developers eager to experiment with OpenAI’s first open model in years.
Altman expressed trust that the community will build valuable applications with the model but stressed the importance of getting the safety aspects right before launch. The indefinite delay means developers will have to wait longer to access this model, while OpenAI continues to prioritize safety over speed.
The delay is driven by OpenAI’s focus on thorough safety evaluations and risk mitigation to prevent potential harms associated with releasing the model weights publicly.