In 30 seconds
Matthew Berman objects to OpenAI’s initial limited preview of GPT-5.6 and argues that unequal access could favor established AI labs over startups. His accusations about Anthropic’s role and internal model use are his interpretation, not established facts; Anthropic’s own models also faced government restrictions.
- 1A staged launchOpenAI initially offered GPT-5.6 to a limited set of partners after engagement with the US government.
- 2Unequal accessBerman worries that established players gain time while independent builders use older models.
- 3A contested accusationHe blames Anthropic and argues it can keep advancing internally; the video does not establish that Anthropic caused the decision.
Takeaways
- OpenAI initially limited GPT-5.6 access to a small set of partners after a US government request.
- Berman argues that limited access can disadvantage startups and independent builders.
- His claim that Anthropic caused the restriction is not substantiated in the video.
- Both the OpenAI and Anthropic restrictions were time-specific and changed after the video.
Read the edited text by chapter
The GPT-5.6 preview
Berman reacts to the limited initial release and argues that many builders cannot immediately use the model. OpenAI said wider access was planned.
GPT-5.6 has just been announced, and it looks like a strong model. I am angry that the US government asked OpenAI to stagger its release: initially, only a limited group of partners could use it. OpenAI said on June 26, 2026 that it planned broader availability in the coming weeks; this was a time-specific preview, not a permanent description of access.
My concern is that a small group can advance while startups, entrepreneurs and independent builders remain on older models. Even a short period of unequal access could matter to people trying to build and compete. At the time of the video, the length of the delay was uncertain.
Who benefits from restrictions?
Berman calls the restriction de facto regulation and criticizes Anthropic. The company also faced separate restrictions, and his causal accusation is unverified.
I call this de facto AI regulation and accuse Dario Amodei and Anthropic of benefiting while continuing to use Fable and Mythos internally. That is my argument, not evidence that Anthropic caused the OpenAI restrictions or proof of its internal usage. Anthropic had itself reported a June 12 government directive restricting access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5, including by foreign nationals at the company; access conditions subsequently changed.
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