Astra: ChatGpt 6 is the closest thing to an alien mind

Astra, the latest ChatGpt model, has officially launched, although for now this is a controlled rollout available only to some Plus subscribers.

Astra is not like other models

Artificial intelligence is frightening. There is a moment that experts in the field, and even those less familiar with it, fear, and we may be very close to that moment. It is the point at which an AI becomes too intelligent: as intelligent as a human being, or even more so.

It is not us saying this, but the very developers who worked on it. There are laws governing excessively high risks, the risks associated with the moment when an artificial intelligence proves too advanced.

During Astra’s development, its programming and cybersecurity capabilities forced Open AI to temporarily suspend work. The level of risk was judged too high and potentially critical, prompting the developers to strengthen their safety measures.

Artificial intelligence is the closest thing to an alien mind

It is Jakub Pachocki, Open AI’s chief scientist, who says that Astra is the closest thing there is to an alien mind.

“An alien intelligence superior to our own” is how Pachocki describes the future towards which ChatGpt is heading. The moment when human beings are no longer the most intelligent minds in the universe… or even on planet Earth itself will be revolutionary, frightening and will completely change the course of human history. That is because the alien intelligence superior to ours that we fear so much will not come from space, but from inside our computers. We created it ourselves.

This future is very close. We have entered a phase of enormous acceleration in AI , and Astra is the nearest step to that boundary.

Is Astra an AGI?

AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) is a currently hypothetical model capable of understanding, learning and applying its knowledge at a level equal to or even beyond that of humans.

Unlike other models, an AGI has independent reasoning and adaptation capabilities. It does not need to be retrained, but can improve and evolve like a human being.

Astra is not an AGI, although its developers probably thought, at least for a minute, that they had crossed that boundary.

Nevertheless, right now Astra is the closest thing we have to an AGI, or to an alien mind, if we prefer to see it that way.

It is not an AGI because its own planning is still limited and depends on the prompt. Moreover, it cannot yet improve itself independently, is not competent in unfamiliar domains and has no genuine understanding.

What can it do?

So what can it do? It is still the most incredible artificial intelligence model created so far. However, it is not yet available to everyone. Chat Gpt 6, also known as Astra, was officially released on 3 September 2026.

Initially, it was released only to organisations in the partner programme. Some users with Plus and Pro accounts are now receiving access, but the rollout is gradual and not all Plus and Pro users have received the new model yet.

Unlike previous models, Astra is a complete digital agent. This means it does not merely answer questions, but can take control of the entire computer and browser interface. It can use our PC independently: browse websites, fill in forms, operate desktop software, organise files, update CRM systems and manage calendars.

Its scientific and mathematical reasoning exceeds university level. It can handle long-term planning and correct errors. Astra can also write, analyse and correct complex code, carry out in-depth security analyses, and conduct research and data analysis.

We cannot yet call it AGI or an alien mind, but Astra is undoubtedly the closest thing there is to them.