• 2 min read
OpenAI shows GPT-Red as heat pump sales keep climbing
OpenAI previewed GPT-Red, an automated red-teaming system, as US heat pump sales doubled over 15 years and beat gas furnaces by 32% in Q1 2026.
Image: MIT Technology Review
OpenAI has given MIT Technology Review an exclusive look at GPT-Red, a system designed to automate red-teaming for software. Red-teaming is a safety-testing process usually handled by human specialists trying to find as many ways as possible to break, exploit, or hijack a system. The pitch is straightforward: if the tool can uncover weaknesses faster and more broadly, it could help OpenAI stay ahead of human attackers.
The newsletter also highlights the continued rise of heat pumps in the US. According to a new report, heat pump sales have doubled over the past 15 years. In the first quarter of 2026, they also outpaced natural-gas furnaces by 32%, a notable result given that a key tax credit for heat pumps just ended.
That momentum stands out because heat pumps use electricity for heating and are known for being highly efficient, yet policy support has just weakened. MIT Technology Review points readers to the full story for the reasons demand remains strong.
The publication’s roundup of other notable stories includes:
Recommended reading
Microsoft tells sales teams to take on OpenAI
- Elon Musk quietly buying the $1 billion gas turbine company APR Energy in May, a deal disclosed through an FTC filing and likely tied to powering AI data centers.
- A hack suggesting the Suno music generator scraped YouTube and Deezer to train its models.
- Thinking Machines launching Inkling, its first open-weight AI model and a US alternative to Chinese open-source offerings.
- Fresh concern over Earth’s energy imbalance, with the planet absorbing heat faster than climate models predicted.
- Growing threats against AI companies, with executives reportedly fearing for their safety.
“We hit pause because the communities powering AI should share in its success. Maybe that’s a novel concept in Washington.”
In its One More Thing section, the newsletter points to Prosper, which is building a humanoid robot called Alfie for homes, hospitals, and hotels. Founder Shariq Hashme says trustworthiness is the central design challenge. But Alfie’s dependence on remote human operators also raises harder questions about privacy, labor, and whether people will accept humanoids in private spaces.
Enterprise Editor
Marcus follows the money. He covers enterprise software, cloud architecture, and the tectonic shifts in Big Tech strategy. He translates dense earnings calls and complex M&A activity into actionable insights about where the industry is actually heading. If a tech giant makes a silent pivot, Marcus is usually the first to notice.
