The AI Daily Brief · Friday, September 11, 2026
OpenAI is pausing new subscriptions for its $200 Pro plan due to unprecedented demand for its Astra model, which is straining systems. The company is prioritizing existing users while working to increase capacity, acknowledging that 'the era of subsidized tokens is ending.'
“OpenAI product leader Tsubo Souchial posted, demand for Astra is really unprecedented.”
“Priority will always be to keep excellent service for existing users, but we might have to pause new pro subscriptions for a bit if this continues.”
“Tsubo, posting on Thursday, to make sure our current users have an incredible experience and continued access to Astra, we are going to pause subscriptions to our $200 Pro plan.”
“Stating it bluntly, Matt Sharma wrote, the era of subsidized tokens is ending, prepare accordingly.”