OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced on July 11, 2025, that the planned release of its open‑weight model—slated for next week—has been postponed indefinitely to conduct additional safety tests and review high‑risk areas. Altman noted that once the model weights are released, they “can’t be pulled back,” and the company “want[s] to get it right” before launch
This is the second delay in recent weeks; earlier this summer, OpenAI pushed back the release from June to later this summer
What OpenAI Says
Altman emphasized that the open model shows “phenomenal” capability but needs extra scrutiny. Aidan Clark, VP of research leading the project, explained they aim to deliver a model that meets high standards across all axes before release
Market Context
The delay comes amid growing competition among open‑source AI providers. Moonshot AI recently released its Kimi K2, a one‑trillion-parameter open model reportedly outperforming GPT‑4.1 on coding benchmarks. Analysts suggest OpenAI’s move represents a calculated strategy to maintain leadership rather than chasing speed
Impacts and Implications
- For Developers: The delay means waiting longer before downloading or deploying OpenAI’s first open‑weight model since GPT‑2 in 2019.
- For Competitors: OpenAI’s careful approach opens opportunities for rivals like Mistral, DeepSeek, and Kimi K2 to capture attention.
- For OpenAI’s Reputation: Balancing innovation with responsible deployment reinforces OpenAI’s image as safety-conscious, though extended delays could risk disappointing users or investors.
What Comes Next?
- Extended safety and risk assessments
- No confirmed new release date yet—Altman admits uncertainty
- High expectations remain: the model is believed to match “o‑series” reasoning performance
- Continued competition from other open-source leaders may influence OpenAI’s launch timeline
In summary, OpenAI delays release of its open model again, reflecting a cautious strategy amid increasing competition and public scrutiny. Prioritizing safety and risk control could enhance trust—but the longer timeline puts pressure on OpenAI to follow through with a transformative, secure, and timely release.
