Just hours after OpenAI launched GPT-6 Astra, CEO Sam Altman was already apologizing for what he described as a messy rollout after paying users expecting access were left waiting.
The company hailed the model as a generational leap in capability and described it as the start of the AGI era. It said Astra would roll out to enterprise customers that day, expanding to all Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise users over the next few days.
The staggered release annoyed many paid subscribers, particularly those on the Pro plan accustomed to getting access first. Social media posts from OpenAI staff on X are filled with complaints.
We are working towards getting Astra in everyone's hands as quickly as we can, Altman said. I know it is frustrating and I appreciate the patience. It should be quick.
Neither Altman nor other staff provided a timeline. The rollout raises questions about prioritization: when a company builds AGI for everyone, who uses it first? Pro subscribers pay $200/month and historically get access first. This time, enterprise customers got in first.
