Van Hollen Statement on OpenAI Decision to Hold Release of Latest Model

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding OpenAI’s decision to hold its release of the GPT-6.1 Astra model. The decision follows Senator Van Hollen’s letter calling on OpenAI to reevaluate the release of GPT-6 Astra due to safety concerns, and pressing OpenAI for answers to questions around its latest models – which he has yet to receive.

“While I’m glad to see OpenAI hold the release of its latest model, GPT-6.1 Astra, this decision should come as yet another warning sign to those who want to proceed recklessly with the continued development of frontier artificial intelligence. That’s why I called on OpenAI to reconsider its release of GPT-6 Astra, and why I’m pressing for answers on a number of questions that remain around these models – namely their safety. OpenAI has yet to provide answers to those questions, but I have made clear that I expect to receive them in the coming days. As OpenAI and others review thousands of security incidents, we must urgently address the safety of these platforms. I will keep pressing for critical guardrails to protect humanity from the threat of unregulated AI development.”