Definition
The most capable AI models available at any given time — representing the current cutting edge of what AI can do. They are distinguished by their enormous scale, broad general capabilities, and often-surprising abilities that were not explicitly programmed. Examples include GPT-5.6, Claude's Fable/Mythos series, and Google's Gemini Ultra.
Why it matters
Frontier models are subject to the strictest government scrutiny — including US export controls and mandatory pre-deployment evaluations — because their capabilities (in cybersecurity, biology, etc.) can be dual-use. Boards of organisations using or building on frontier models should track whether those models have cleared applicable regulatory requirements.