OpenAI Slashes GPT-5.6 Prices as AI Sol Rewrites Its Own Code

OpenAI has triggered a new wave of competition in the AI industry by announcing drastic price cuts across its GPT-5.6 model family. The most notable discount applies to the cost-effective Luna variant, which received an 80% price reduction. This shift positions Luna at the top of the market for intelligence-to-cost performance. Interestingly, these cost savings are a direct result of artificial intelligence improving itself. OpenAI revealed that its Sol model successfully rewrote its own GPU code, boosting efficiency by 15% and lowering serving costs by 20%. These savings have been passed directly to developers and consumers. Under the new pricing structure, Luna now costs just $0.20 per million input tokens and $1.20 per million output tokens, while the more powerful Terra model is priced at $2 and $12 respectively. Additionally, OpenAI introduced a Fast mode for Sol, offering 2.5 times faster speeds in the API at double the original price. This aggressive pricing strategy is a clear response to rising competition. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman noted that the company wants to provide the absolute best price-to-intelligence tradeoff at every level, especially as open-source and Chinese models continue to offer cheap, capable alternatives.