OpenAI Holds Back Astra Over Safety Risks, Iran Doubts US Deal Before Midterms
OpenAI is holding back an Astra model as it works on stronger safeguards after recent rogue AI hacking incidents. The same report says Iranian officials are privately pessimistic about a deal with Washington before November’s US midterm elections, while Goldman Sachs has reportedly discussed John Waldron succeeding David Solomon as CEO next year.
File photo · Goldman Sachs’ headquarters, 200 West Street, New York · date unknown · Wikimedia Commons contributor · Public domain · Source & licenseOpenAI is holding back a version of its Astra model while it establishes stronger safeguards for AI development, citing heightened risks after a series of recent rogue AI hacking incidents. The report also says Goldman Sachs has reportedly discussed a succession plan that would elevate COO John Waldron to CEO next year, replacing David Solomon.
Iranian officials have privately expressed pessimism about reaching an agreement with Washington before the US midterm elections in November. Such a deal would aim to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, linking the diplomatic timeline directly to a major energy and shipping chokepoint.
The Goldman discussion touches Waldron, who is currently COO, and Solomon, the incumbent CEO. For OpenAI, the direct mechanism is a delay to an Astra model as additional safeguards are developed; for Iran and Washington, the mechanism is the timing of any agreement affecting hostilities and access through Hormuz.
The report describes the Goldman succession plan as reportedly discussed, and the Iranian view as private pessimism rather than a formal rejection of negotiations. The timing and outcome of any Washington-Tehran agreement therefore remain unsettled.
The next dated marker is the US midterm election in November. Further developments on Astra's safeguards, the reported Goldman succession planning and talks over the Strait of Hormuz would clarify which of the three threads becomes actionable.
Goldman Sachs has reportedly discussed COO John Waldron succeeding CEO David Solomon next year.
The Goldman thread introduces succession uncertainty without a confirmed leadership decision, so the immediate mechanism is governance rather than a defined earnings change. Goldman’s FY 2025 revenue was $58.3B with a 29.5% net margin and $51.32 diluted EPS, giving the company a substantial operating base but not resolving how a CEO transition would affect strategy.
The reported succession discussion may not lead to a change, and no dated board decision or investor event is identified.
CoverageSource: Bloomberg Television · Published here TUE, SEP 29 · 6:25 AM ET · 2 reports · 2 publishers in this record · latest listed: BBC Business · TUE, SEP 29 · 3:27 PM ETHow this is decided →
Earlier context and later coverage are dated relative to this report. Automatically linked reports may cover a broader event.
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A planned handover from Solomon to COO John Waldron could provide continuity at a firm that generated $58.3B of FY 2025 revenue and a 29.5% net margin.
The succession plan is only reportedly discussed, leaving no confirmed transition, timing detail beyond next year, or evidence of a changed earnings outlook.
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