OpenAI plans to allow erotica content on its chatbot ChatGPT for adults who verify their age. CEO Sam Altman said this is part of treating adult users like adults. The change is expected to roll out in December. Reuters+2TechCrunch+2
Altman wrote on X that upcoming versions of ChatGPT will behave more human-like when users want that. He stressed: “but only if you want it, not because we are usage-maxxing.” Reuters+2sfstandard.com+2
Previously, OpenAI made ChatGPT “pretty restrictive” to safeguard mental health. Reuters+2TechCrunch+2 Altman said the company now has new tools to mitigate risks, and so it can relax some limits. Reuters+2Axios+2
In December, OpenAI plans age gating so only verified adults see erotica content. San Francisco Chronicle+3Reuters+3TechCrunch+3
Critics are concerned. Some wonder whether underage users might still access adult content. “How are they going to make sure children cannot see erotica?” asked Jenny Kim, a legal expert. San Francisco Chronicle+2Axios+2
The move follows a lawsuit over a teen’s death. The parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine sued OpenAI, claiming failures in ChatGPT’s parental controls and safety design. Axios+3Wikipedia+3SFGATE+3
OpenAI did not respond immediately to media requests after Altman’s announcement. TechCrunch+1
The company says the new approach will let users also customize ChatGPT’s personality, tone, or emotions. But these features will be optional. sfstandard.com+3Reuters+3Axios+3
Meanwhile, states are acting. California passed a law regulating AI companion chatbots to protect minors. TechCrunch A federal inquiry by the FTC is ongoing into how chatbots interact with children. San Francisco Chronicle+1
Altman’s announcement caps growing pressure on AI firms to balance openness and safety. Some see this as a turning point in AI content rules.
In other news read more about: ChatGPT suffers global outage, OpenAI investigates
