Frontier capability is arriving before broad access. This episode turns OpenAI's GPT-5.6 Sol preview, OpenAI's agent-work research, Microsoft's Copilot in Excel finance controls, and Anthropic's Claude Tag into one operator test: before power mode becomes normal mode, name the preview gate.

Who gets frontier capability access, in which surface, with which data and tools, under which safeguards, with what evidence, and who can roll it back?

Eligible user group
Approved surface
Data boundary
Tool boundary
Safeguard routing
Spend and cache budget
Evidence log
Rollback and deprovision owner

OpenAI: https://openai.com/index/previewing-gpt-5-6-sol/
OpenAI Help Center: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/20001325-a-preview-of-gpt-56-sol-terra-and-luna
OpenAI agents/work research: https://openai.com/index/how-agents-are-transforming-work/
Microsoft Copilot in Excel: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2026/06/25/copilot-in-excel-built-for-the-era-of-frontier-finance/
Anthropic Claude Tag: https://www.anthropic.com/news/introducing-claude-tag

AI-assisted tools were used in parts of the research and production workflow. Final editorial judgment, risk posture, and release approval stayed human-led. This is operational guidance, not legal advice.