OpenAI has released its most capable AI model, GPT-5.5, codenamed "Spud," just one week after competitor Anthropic launched its latest model. The model is described as a "faster, sharper thinker for fewer tokens" compared to 5.4 and can handle multi-step workflows more autonomously without user input. It is available in ChatGPT and Codex, with API access coming soon for additional cybersecurity guardrails. The improvements are particularly beneficial in coding, computer use, general office work and early scientific research. The release is seen as a significant step towards more agentic and intuitive computing.