OpenAI partners with Ironclad to train GPT-6 Astra on AI contracting

OpenAI has a new study partner, and it brought homework from the legal department. On October 6, 2026, OpenAI announced a strategic research collaboration with Ironclad, a company recognized as a leader in AI contracting. The goal is to change how AI agents are trained and evaluated on contracting workflows, the unglamorous paperwork that keeps businesses running. The headline result: OpenAI’s GPT-6 Astra model scored an average of 55.0% across 11 contracting tasks. Its predecessor, GPT-5.6 Sol, averaged 41.6%. The details: 11 tasks, half the time The two companies jointly defined 11 distinct tasks meant to mirror what contracting teams actually do all day. The list includes configuring agreements, managing approvals, and handling renewals of contractual elements. It also covers negotiation and jurisdictional approvals. Ironclad contributed its domain expertise and had its own employees directly involved in defining what a successful result looks like. Accuracy was only half the story. Speed improved too. With GPT-6 Astra, the average time per task fell from 37.0 minutes to 19.2 minutes. That works out to a 48% improvement in efficiency. GPT-6 Astra itself is fresh off the assembly...