OpenAI's GPT-5.6 and ChatGPT Work aim to beat Anthropic on price, speed, and productivity
Summary
OpenAI has launched new GPT-5.6 models—Sol, Terra, and Luna—alongside ChatGPT Work, directly targeting Anthropic's offerings in price, speed, and productivity. The flagship GPT-5.6 Sol model scored 53.6 on Agents' Last Exam, beating Claude Fable 5 by 13.1 points, and achieved 80 on the Artificial Analysis Coding Agent Index, 2.8 points above Fable 5. OpenAI claims Sol is also significantly more cost-efficient, beating Fable 5 by 11.4 points at medium reasoning at roughly one-quarter the estimated cost, and faster, completing tasks in 61% less time. ChatGPT Work, an agentic desktop productivity tool, expands OpenAI's agent capabilities beyond coding, allowing AI to access desktops and browsers to perform complex, multi-step tasks like creating spreadsheets, PowerPoints, or reorganizing notes. This tool, previously embedded in the Codex app, now competes directly with Claude Cowork and integrates with platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Drive. GPT-5.6 also includes robust safeguards. ChatGPT Work is rolling out for Pro, Enterprise, and Edu plans, with Plus and Business plans following.
Key takeaway
For AI Product Managers evaluating agentic workflow solutions, OpenAI's GPT-5.6 models and ChatGPT Work present a compelling alternative to Anthropic's offerings. Assess Sol's benchmark performance in coding and multi-step workflows against your specific needs. Note its claimed 61% faster task completion and one-quarter estimated cost. Consider piloting ChatGPT Work for non-coding productivity tasks. Integrate it with your existing CRM or project trackers to automate complex operations and identify potential sales opportunities.
Key insights
OpenAI's GPT-5.6 models and ChatGPT Work directly challenge Anthropic's offerings with superior performance, speed, and cost efficiency.
Principles
- Direct competitive benchmarking drives product strategy.
- Agentic AI tools are expanding beyond coding.
- Model efficiency impacts operational cost significantly.
Method
ChatGPT Work enables AI to access desktop/browser, break complex projects into smaller tasks, and perform multi-step professional workflows across various applications.
In practice
- Use GPT-5.6 Sol for agentic code review tasks.
- Deploy ChatGPT Work for automated lead review systems.
- Integrate agentic tools with CRM, email, and calendar.
Topics
- GPT-5.6
- ChatGPT Work
- Agentic AI
- AI Benchmarking
- Anthropic Competition
- Productivity Tools
- Large Language Models
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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by News and Advice on the World's Latest Innovations | ZDNET.