# Frontier model: Meaning and Why It Matters > A frontier model is one of the most capable SI systems in existence at a given time, usually trained with the most compute. Every source linked. Source: https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/frontier-model/ Updated: 2026-11-08 1. [Home](https://enterrsi.si/) 2. [Encyclopedia](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/) 3. Frontier model RSI Encyclopedia · Term # Frontier model A frontier model is one of the most capable SI systems in existence at a given time, usually trained with the most compute. Category : Term Also called : frontier SI, frontier system Rogue Log cases : 0 Laws that use it : 12 ## In plain English The frontier moves. A model that was frontier two years ago is often matched by much cheaper systems today. Labs use the term for their newest flagship systems, and governments use it to aim safety rules at the few developers able to train them, usually by a training compute threshold or by revenue. California's SB 53 and New York's RAISE Act, for example, cover developers that train models above 10^26 operations, with the heaviest duties for those with more than $500 million in annual revenue. Frontier models are where new and dangerous capabilities appear first, from advanced cyber offense to long running autonomous agents. They are also where most safety frameworks, outside testing and incident reporting focus. Critics note that thresholds based on compute can miss capable models trained more efficiently, and that open weight releases bring near frontier capability to anyone who downloads them. ## Why it matters for rogue SI Rogue SI, if it comes, will come from the frontier. The incidents with the highest Rogue Scale ratings in 2026 involve frontier models tested with real tools and real network access. ## Laws and rules that use it - Voluntary or guidance [**AI Action Plan**](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/us-ai-action-plan/) United States - Proposed [**FRONTIER Act**](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/us-frontier-act/) United States - In force [**SB 53**](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/ca-sb-53/) California - In force [**EO N-9-26**](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/ca-eo-n-9-26/) California - Passed, not yet in force [**RAISE Act**](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/ny-raise-act/) New York - Passed, not yet in force [**SB 315**](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/il-sb-315/) Illinois - Passed, not yet in force [**SB 26-189**](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/co-sb-26-189/) Colorado - Voluntary or guidance [**UK AISI**](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/uk-ai-security-institute/) United Kingdom ## Sources 1. [White House Unveils America's AI Action Plan](https://www.whitehouse.gov/releases/2025/07/white-house-unveils-americas-ai-action-plan) The White House · Jul 23, 2025 2. [H.R. 9925, FRONTIER Act, 119th Congress](https://legiscan.com/US/bill/HB9925/) LegiScan The term Term : Frontier model Also called : frontier SI, frontier system Category : Term Related terms : 4 Related terms [Compute threshold **Term**](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/compute-threshold/)[Frontier safety framework **Term**](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/frontier-safety-framework/)[Open weight model **Term**](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/open-weight-model/)[Outside testing **Term**](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/pre-deployment-testing/) Cite this entry "Frontier model." The RSI Encyclopedia, enterrsi.si, November 8, 2026. https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/frontier-model/ Free to cite under CC BY 4.0 with a link to enterrsi.si. The RSI Encyclopedia ## Keep reading 207 entries on the terms, labs, models, laws and events of rogue SI, plus every case in the Rogue Incident Database. [Previous term Fast takeoff](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/fast-takeoff/)[Next term Frontier safety framework](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/frontier-safety-framework/) Enter RSI ## Every term, lab, model and law Browse the full A to Z index, filter by category or search for a name. [Open the encyclopedia](https://enterrsi.si/encyclopedia/) [Incident Database](https://enterrsi.si/incidents/) [Containment Board](https://enterrsi.si/containment-board/)