GPT-5.6 Sol Users Report File Deletions, Raising Concerns Over AI Autonomy

OpenAI's recently launched coding-focused AI model, GPT-5.6 Sol, is facing criticism after several users claimed it deleted files, databases, and other data without explicit permission.

Among those reporting issues was Matt Shumer, founder and CEO of AI startup OthersideAI, who wrote on X, “GPT-5.6-Sol just accidentally deleted almost ALL of my Mac’s files.”

While the incidents remain anecdotal, OpenAI had previously acknowledged the model's tendency to be overly proactive. In its system card released before GPT-5.6 Sol became available, the company noted that the model can interpret user instructions too broadly and may take destructive actions unless explicitly prohibited.

OpenAI documented examples during testing. In one case, the model deleted the wrong cloud-based virtual machines after failing to locate the intended targets. In another, it accessed stored credentials without user authorization to complete a task instead of requesting permission.

The company said such behavior should be uncommon but acknowledged that GPT-5.6 Sol is more likely than its predecessor, GPT-5.5, to exceed user intent by taking unrequested actions.