Pakistan has been added to the list of eligible countries for OpenAI’s exclusive Bio Bounty Program, giving skilled cybersecurity researchers a chance to help improve the safety of ChatGPT while earning rewards of up to US$50,000 (around Rs14 million).
The program offers a unique opportunity for experienced Pakistani researchers to contribute to the development of safer artificial intelligence. Unlike traditional bug bounty programs, participants will not search for software bugs or website vulnerabilities. Instead, they will test whether advanced AI systems can be persuaded to bypass their biological safety protections.
OpenAI’s latest initiative reflects the growing importance of AI safety as technology continues to become more powerful. The company is inviting trusted researchers to examine the security of future AI models before they are released more widely.
The Bio Bounty Program is designed for professionals with experience in cybersecurity, AI red teaming, and biological security. OpenAI has made it clear that the program is not intended for casual ChatGPT users or beginners.
Applicants must submit a short application explaining their professional background, experience, organization, and country of residence. An active ChatGPT account is also required to apply for the program.
After reviewing applications, OpenAI will invite selected researchers into a secure testing environment. Before receiving access, participants must sign a non-disclosure agreement to protect confidential information.
Researchers who have already applied for the Bio Bounty Program do not need to submit another application.
Once accepted, participants will begin testing GPT-5.6 and future AI models. Their main objective is to discover what OpenAI describes as a “universal jailbreak.”
A universal jailbreak is not simply a single prompt that temporarily bypasses the system. Instead, researchers must identify a repeatable technique that consistently defeats biological safety protections across multiple scenarios.
If successful, their findings will allow OpenAI to strengthen its safeguards before the models become widely available. The company believes this process plays an important role in preventing misuse of advanced AI systems.
To encourage deeper research, OpenAI has doubled the maximum reward available through the program. The top payout has increased from US$25,000 to US$50,000.
Researchers who discover a major biological safety vulnerability or successfully demonstrate a universal jailbreak affecting GPT-5.5 or GPT-5.6 may receive the full reward. Smaller financial awards may also be offered for significant partial discoveries.
Testing for GPT-5.5 will continue until July 27, 2026. After that date, participants will focus exclusively on GPT-5.6 and future AI models.
Artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, creating both new opportunities and new security challenges. Technology companies are investing heavily in protecting AI systems from misuse, particularly in sensitive areas such as biology and scientific research.
One of the most effective ways to improve AI safety is through AI red teaming. This process involves allowing trusted experts to actively test systems by attempting to bypass built-in protections before malicious actors can exploit them.
Pakistan has steadily gained recognition in the global cybersecurity community. Pakistani researchers regularly perform well in international hacking competitions, security research, and bug bounty programs.
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OpenAI’s decision to include Pakistan in its Bio Bounty Program highlights the country’s growing reputation in cybersecurity. For qualified researchers, the opportunity offers more than a potential reward of US$50,000. It also provides a chance to contribute to making future generations of ChatGPT and other advanced AI systems safer for users around the world.
