Google Cloud adds OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6.1 Sol and GPT-6 Luna to Model Garden
In short
Google Cloud said it has added three OpenAI models, GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6.1 Sol and GPT-6 Luna, to its Model Garden catalog. They are in private preview for some enterprise customers, and Japanese tech outlets reported that wider availability is planned within the next few weeks.
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Google Cloud said it has added OpenAI models to Model Garden, its model catalog. ITmedia reported that the announcement was made on 21 October US time, while Mynavi News gave 22 October and Impress Watch gave the 21st. The additions are GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6.1 Sol and GPT-6 Luna. ITmedia described GPT-6 Astra as OpenAI's top model, GPT-6.1 Sol as aimed at users seeking cost performance, and GPT-6 Luna as lightweight. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
The models are available first as a private preview for some enterprise customers. Google Cloud said more models will follow in sequence, according to ITmedia. Gigazine reported that OpenAI plans to begin general availability within the next few weeks, and Impress Watch said availability for enterprises generally is expected within the next few weeks. Impress Watch said customers who want access can apply through a form prepared by the two companies. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
ITmedia noted that OpenAI models could already be reached from Google Cloud by API. With the Model Garden addition, they can run on Google Cloud infrastructure, with procurement, billing and management consolidated under Google Cloud. Gigazine said companies can buy them through Google Cloud Marketplace and that companies with committed Google Cloud spending can apply OpenAI usage to that commitment. Mynavi News said the charges fall under existing Google Cloud agreements and Flexible Savings Plans. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
On data handling, the outlets reported that customer prompts, context and outputs are kept within a designated boundary and are not used to train the models. ITmedia said a zero data retention option is expected soon. Gigazine said zero data retention and confidential computing are planned. Mynavi News said the models run on dedicated Google Cloud infrastructure, with queries handled through an isolated gateway and integration with audit logging and identity management. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Gigazine said the arrangement also covers Codex: developers can connect local Codex CLI and desktop Codex workflows to the Google Cloud platform for inference. Impress Watch said the models are expected to become usable in Google Antigravity and Gemini Agent, while Gigazine said they are also planned for Antigravity and Gemini-related enterprise services. [ 2 , 4 ]
Gigazine quoted OpenAI co-founder and president Greg Brockman as calling the partnership an important step toward letting customers use OpenAI's most capable models and Codex in the environments where they already build. Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian was quoted as saying the company is focused on offering a broad choice of models, including OpenAI's, to help customers optimise quality and reduce costs. Gigazine also said OpenAI stated that Microsoft remains its main cloud partner. [ 2 ]
ITmedia reported Google Cloud's pitch that it is the only hyperscaler able to offer the closed models of the three major providers. Mynavi News said Google Cloud described itself as a hyperscale cloud provider that offers the major closed-source LLMs on one platform, and that it offers more than 200 first-party, third-party and open-source models. [ 1 , 3 ]
Why it matters
Google Cloud customers can use OpenAI models on Google Cloud infrastructure, with purchasing and billing handled through Google Cloud. Impress Watch said Google can expect wider Model Garden use and OpenAI wider adoption of its models.
Key facts
- Model Garden now includes OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6.1 Sol and GPT-6 Luna. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The three models are available as a private preview to some enterprise customers. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Customer prompts, context and outputs are not used to train the models, according to the outlets' accounts of the announcement. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Usage is billed through Google Cloud Marketplace and Google Cloud billing. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Availability for enterprises generally is planned within the next few weeks. [ 2 , 4 ]
- A zero data retention option is expected to become available soon. [ 1 , 2 ]
- OpenAI said Microsoft remains its main cloud partner. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Google Cloud added GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6.1 Sol and GPT-6 Luna to Model Garden. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The models are offered first as a private preview to some enterprise customers. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Customer prompts, context and outputs are kept within a designated boundary and not used for model training. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Wider availability is planned within the next few weeks. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Purchasing and billing for the OpenAI models are consolidated under Google Cloud. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The date of the announcement. ITmedia and Impress Watch give 21 October (ITmedia specifies US local time), while Mynavi News says Google Cloud announced it on 22 October.
- Whether Google Cloud is the only hyperscaler offering the closed models of the three major providers. ITmedia reports this as Google Cloud's own claim and does not name the three providers; Mynavi News says Google Cloud described itself as a hyperscale cloud provider offering the major closed-source LLMs on one platform.
- When the zero data retention option and the confidential computing support will arrive. ITmedia says zero data retention will be available soon, and Gigazine says it and confidential computing are planned, with no dates given.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- ITmedia AI+ publishes its report, citing Google Cloud's announcement of 21 October US time. [ 1 ]
- Gigazine reports the partnership and the three models in Model Garden. [ 2 ]
- Mynavi News reports that Google Cloud has begun offering the OpenAI models. [ 3 ]
- Impress Watch reports the announcement by Google and OpenAI. [ 4 ]