# OpenAI may release up to two new models by year‑end, flagship still needs safety work

> Employees say OpenAI plans one or two model releases before 2026 ends, but its next flagship using looped transformers requires more alignment and testing.

Oossa · 2026-10-14 · https://oossa.com/en/openai-may-release-up-to-two-new-models-by-year-end-flagship-still-needs-safety-

OpenAI expects to ship one or two new AI models before the end of 2026, according to employees cited by The Information. The company’s upcoming flagship will use the same looped‑transformer technique that powers its current top model, Astra. That method improves math and coding ability but makes it harder for safety reviewers to follow the model’s reasoning. OpenAI still needs to finish alignment work and build testing infrastructure before the flagship can be released.

## The facts

- Employees say OpenAI will likely release "one or two new models" by year‑end 2026.
- The new flagship will use looped transformers, a technique that repeats token processing to boost performance.

## Why it matters

If the flagship is delayed, developers and enterprises waiting for a higher‑perform, cost‑effective model will have to continue using Astra or older versions.

## Sources & references

1. [OpenAI will reportedly ship at least one model this year but its flagship still needs alignment work](https://the-decoder.com/openai-will-reportedly-ship-at-least-one-model-this-year-but-its-flagship-still-needs-alignment-work/) – The Decoder, 2026-10-14

Last updated: 2026-10-14