OpenAI, the company behind the well-known ChatGPT program, is delivering its new AI model GPT-5.6 first only to selected US companies. This decision, at the request of the US government, could significantly change the global development of Artificial Intelligence. Europe could fall behind.
This exclusive availability is more than just a delayed launch. It gives US companies a direct advantage over other businesses. While US companies are already working with the latest and most powerful Artificial Intelligence, European and other international firms must wait. This can greatly accelerate or slow down the development of new ideas and products. Thus, the global distribution of power in the technology sector could be reordered.
The well-known AI company OpenAI has introduced its latest language model, GPT-5.6. However, instead of releasing it globally, it will initially be made available only to a limited group of companies in the USA, at the request of the US government. The official justification is security concerns. According to OpenAI, these concerns necessitate a gradual and controlled introduction.
For individuals and creatives outside the USA, this primarily means that new, exciting AI functions will be available later. If companies in the USA have exclusive access to better models, the resulting apps and services will launch there first. Sometimes they only launch there. This can feel like being a mere spectator to an important technological trend.
Companies in Europe face a real challenge. Access to the latest AI models can determine how well a company can compete. This applies, for example, to product development, marketing, or cost savings. If US competitors can improve their operations with GPT-5.6 while European companies are still relying on older models, a digital disadvantage arises. This disadvantage can quickly manifest in reduced market shares and profits. This can increase pressure to invest more in their own AI research or to look for other solutions.
For US companies, immediate opportunities arise. They can start developing and using applications based on GPT-5.6 earlier than the rest of the world. This allows them to open up new markets and improve their products. They can also make their workflows more efficient. For other regions, the opportunity lies in promoting alternative open-source models. They can also build their own independent AI systems to avoid dependence on individual providers.
