Tech Brew Ride Home · Wednesday, September 2, 2026
OpenAI plans a public release of its Astra model, which utilizes a new 'recurrent depth' or 'looped transformer' technique. This method enhances performance by processing text multiple times but obscures the AI's reasoning, raising concerns about monitoring for bad behavior. OpenAI states they are limiting its use in Astra and enhancing monitoring capabilities.
“OpenAI says its forthcoming AI model marks a step up in capabilities such as coding and operating applications on a computer, but an innovative technique that improves the model's performance also means the model and others like it will reveal less of their thinking, making them harder to monitor for signs of bad behavior, according to a person with knowledge of Astra's development.”
“The new technique OpenAI is using, known as recurrent depth or looped transformer, allows an AI model to improve its answers by processing the same text multiple times.”
“OpenAI has limited its use of the recurrent depth technique with Astra so the model still produces a legible chain of thought, and the company's researchers can still sufficiently monitor its reasoning, said the person with knowledge of its development.”