Sam Altman Hints At GPT 6 7 For Gen Alpha

Earlier this year, the release of OpenAI's GPT-5 was one of the most anticipated events in the tech world. CEO Sam Altman had set high expectations, promising with "a high degree of scientific certainty" that GPT-5 would be a significant leap forward from its predecessor, which he admitted "kind of sucks." However, the launch was met with mixed reviews, as many users expressed frustration that the upgrade had actually degraded the ChatGPT experience.

Now, Altman has stirred the pot again, this time with a tongue-in-cheek comment suggesting the next model, GPT-6, might be rebranded as "GPT-6-7" to connect with Gen Alpha.

What Exactly is the 6-7 Slang Trend

For those not up-to-date on the latest viral trends, "6-7" is a popular slang term among Gen Alpha that has a deliberately ambiguous meaning. The term gained so much traction that Dictionary.com named it the 2025 Word of the Year, even while admitting that its exact definition remains elusive.

The slang seems to have originated from a rap song and has since appeared in shows like South Park, becoming a common refrain in school hallways across the US and UK.

Gabe Dannenbring, a seventh-grade science teacher, described its pervasive nature in an interview with CNN, stating:

“It’s like a plague — a virus that has taken over these kids’ minds. You can’t say any iteration of the numbers 6 or 7 without having at least 15 kids yell, ‘6-7!’”

As Dannenbring noted, the humor lies in its mystery: “Nobody knows what it means. And that’s kind of the funny thing about it.”

A Strategic Play or Just a Joke

It's unclear whether Sam Altman's suggestion to rename GPT-6 to GPT-6-7 is a serious proposal or simply a joke capitalizing on the hype. However, even as a joke, it could signal a deliberate strategy to capture the interest of younger generations.

Recent trends indicate that the youth are increasingly abandoning traditional search engines like Google and Bing. Instead, they are turning to AI tools like ChatGPT for quick, direct answers, avoiding the need to sift through dense articles. Aligning the next AI model with a viral youth trend, however bizarre, could be a clever way to solidify AI's place as the go-to information source for this demographic.

Beyond the name, Altman's comment also serves as a subtle confirmation that OpenAI is actively developing the successor to GPT-5, likely aiming to address the criticisms of the last release and deliver on the promise of a truly next-generation model.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will OpenAI's next model be called?

While Sam Altman joked about calling it GPT-6-7 to align with Gen Alpha's word of the year, the official name will most likely be the more conventional GPT-6. The quip was likely a playful nod to the viral trend.

What does the term 6-7 mean?

The slang term "6-7" intentionally lacks a clear definition. Its meaning is fluid and contextual, which is central to its appeal. Gen Alpha uses it widely, often chanting it whenever the numbers 6 or 7 are mentioned.

Why were users disappointed with the GPT-5 upgrade?

Many users felt the GPT-5 model made ChatGPT's responses more generic and less personalized, degrading the overall user experience compared to previous versions like GPT-4o. In response to some feedback, Sam Altman noted that some users had formed unhealthy attachments to the chatbot's persona, suggesting an over-reliance on its supportive nature.