OpenAI new features in August 2026

Everything OpenAI shipped in August 2026: 24 releases, grouped by product, each linked to OpenAI's release notes.

July 2026 September 2026

GA 1Preview 4Deprecation 1Pricing 2Update 16

OpenAI API12

OpenAI APIAug 29, 2026

OpenAI API mTLS and X.509 workload identity federation are GA

Mutual TLS and X.509 workload identity federation can be configured in the Platform console, with access governed by organization roles and permissions, enabling keyless authentication.

GASecurityDeveloper toolsSource

OpenAI APIAug 26, 2026

OpenAI deprecates whisper-1 and gpt-4o transcribe models, shutdown February 26, 2027

whisper-1, gpt-4o-transcribe, gpt-4o-mini-transcribe and gpt-4o-transcribe-diarize shut down February 26, 2027; migrate to gpt-live-transcribe or gpt-transcribe. The Assistants API shut down August 26, 2026.

DeprecationLLMsDeveloper toolsSource

OpenAI APIAug 24, 2026

Advancing price-performance for developers with GPT‑5.6 in Kiro

GPT‑5.6 is now available in Kiro, helping developers plan, build, review, and test software with better price-performance.

UpdatePricingCoding agentsPerformanceSource

OpenAI APIAug 21, 2026

OpenAI API adds per-request regional processing via prefixed domains

Projects with Global geography can select regional processing for an individual request by calling a prefixed domain. Existing eligibility, retention, endpoint and model requirements still apply.

UpdateDeveloper toolsSource

OpenAI APIAug 21, 2026

OpenAI cuts GPT-5.6 Sol pricing to $4 input and $20 output per MTok

GPT-5.6 Sol input pricing drops 20% and output pricing 33%. The promotional price runs at least through November 21, 2026.

PricingLLMsPricingSource

OpenAI APIAug 20, 2026

OpenAI gpt-image-2 adds transparent backgrounds in preview

Set background to transparent with png or webp output in the Images API and Responses image tool for gpt-image-2 and gpt-image-2-2026-04-21. jpeg is not supported.

PreviewDeveloper toolsSource

OpenAI APIAug 20, 2026

OpenAI launches a Prompt Caching dashboard

The dashboard tracks cache hit rate over time, cache reads per write and the split of cache-read, cache-write and uncached tokens, filterable by model and service tier, to help improve caching efficiency.

UpdateBIObservabilityDeveloper toolsSource

OpenAI APIAug 13, 2026

OpenAI announces Ultrafast mode for GPT-5.6 Sol in limited preview

Ultrafast mode is a new API service tier for GPT-5.6 Sol that runs up to 14x faster than Standard processing, available to select customers.

PreviewLLMsDeveloper toolsPerformanceSource

OpenAI APIAug 7, 2026

OpenAI Daybreak adds Blue and Red access tiers for defenders

Daybreak Blue gives approved defenders general-purpose models such as GPT-5.6 Sol for vulnerability discovery, code review and incident response, while Daybreak Red gives separately approved access to purpose-trained models.

UpdateLLMsSecurityPricingSource

OpenAI APIAug 6, 2026

OpenAI updates chat-latest to the newest ChatGPT model

The chat-latest snapshot now points to the latest model in ChatGPT for Plus and Pro users and will be updated regularly. OpenAI recommends GPT-5.6 Sol for production API usage.

UpdateLLMsDeveloper toolsSource

OpenAI APIAug 5, 2026

OpenAI Fast mode supports long-context requests for GPT-5.6 models

Prompts over 272K tokens can now run in Fast mode on GPT-5.6 Sol, Terra and Luna, at up to 2.5x the speed of the Standard tier.

UpdateLLMsPricingPerformanceSource

OpenAI APIAug 4, 2026

OpenAI Usage and Costs dashboards filter and group by API key

Usage and Costs dashboards and the Usage and Costs APIs now support an API key dimension for reporting and analysis.

UpdatePricingBIDeveloper toolsSource

ChatGPT10

ChatGPTAug 19, 2026

Offering Zero Data Retention for frontier models

OpenAI reaffirms Zero Data Retention for eligible API customers and previews Private Safety Processing for advanced AI safety without compromising data privacy.

PreviewDeveloper toolsSource

ChatGPTAug 18, 2026

ChatGPT Ads expands across Europe

ChatGPT Ads is expanding to 31 European markets. Learn how advertisers can reach people as they explore, compare options, and make decisions.

UpdateSource

ChatGPTAug 18, 2026

Introducing ChatGPT for Teens: Built for learning, backed by protections

ChatGPT for Teens helps teens learn, think critically, and use AI with confidence, with stronger built-in protections, healthy-use features, and additional controls for parents.

UpdateSource

ChatGPTAug 13, 2026

Previewing Ultrafast mode: GPT-5.6 Sol at up to 14X the speed

Preview Ultrafast, a new OpenAI API service tier that runs GPT-5.6 Sol up to 14× faster. Powered by Cerebras, it delivers up to 750 output tokens per second.

PreviewLLMsDeveloper toolsPerformanceSource

ChatGPTAug 11, 2026

Daybreak models are now available on AWS

OpenAI and AWS are making Daybreak cybersecurity capabilities available through Amazon Bedrock to support enterprise security workflows.

UpdateSecuritySource

ChatGPTAug 11, 2026

Testing ads in ChatGPT

OpenAI begins testing ads in ChatGPT to support free access, with clear labeling, answer independence, strong privacy protections, and user control.

UpdateSource

ChatGPTAug 10, 2026

Expanding Daybreak as the Cyber Defense Window Narrows

Meet GPT-5.6-Cyber, OpenAI’s cybersecurity-specific model available through Daybreak Red for authorized vulnerability research, exploit validation, and security testing.

UpdateLLMsSecuritySource

ChatGPTAug 10, 2026

Premium seats are coming to ChatGPT Business

Premium seats are now available on ChatGPT Business, with 5x more usage, no five-hour usage limit, and flexible seat options for every teammate.

PricingSource

ChatGPTAug 10, 2026

Putting frontier cyber models in more trusted hands

Approved Daybreak partners can use OpenAI’s frontier cyber models to deliver authorized, governed cybersecurity services to customers.

UpdateSecuritySource

ChatGPTAug 6, 2026

Improving GPT‑5.6 Sol in ChatGPT, and expanding access to GPT-5.6 Luna for free users

ChatGPT introduces improved GPT-5.6 Sol with better accuracy and consistency, plus expanded access for free users and unlimited everyday chats with GPT-5.6 Luna.

UpdateLLMsSource

Codex2

CodexAug 25, 2026

Introducing the Admin plugin for ChatGPT Work and Codex

Use the Admin plugin for ChatGPT Work and Codex to analyze workspace usage, manage members and permissions, adjust limits, and act on admin requests.

UpdateSecurityCoding agentsSource

CodexAug 4, 2026

New ways to learn and teach with ChatGPT Work and Codex

Explore new education plugins for ChatGPT Work and Codex that help K–12 teachers, college educators, and students learn, teach, research, and build.

UpdateCoding agentsSource