OpenAI Slashes GPT-5.6 Model Prices and Expands Researcher Access Driven by Efficiency Gains

Key Intelligence

• ■OpenAI has significantly reduced prices for its GPT-5.6 Luna and Terra models, with cuts reportedly up to 80%, to encourage broader enterprise adoption and address growing customer cost sensitivity.
• ■These price reductions are attributed to advancements in GPT-5.6's efficiency, including improvements in retaining reasoning, data compaction, and internal self-coding efforts that cut service costs by 20%.
• ■Further cost optimizations include a 25% reduction in transcription API prices, reflecting a broader strategy to make AI more accessible and affordable.
• ■OpenAI also launched a program offering free access to its AI models for 100,000 academic researchers, aiming to stimulate innovation and expand the scientific application of its technology.