OpenAI launches free AI access program for academic researchers

OpenAI is launching a new program Wednesday that will provide 100,000 academic researchers with free access to its advanced AI models through 2027, the company told Axios ahead of the announcement. Why it matters: The program could help scientists, mathematicians and engineers pursue the kind of breakthroughs that OpenAI and other AI companies say the technology could enable. Driving the news: Those selected will have access to OpenAI's most advanced models — including GPT-5.6 Sol Pro — and…