OpenAI is about to stir things up by letting its ChatGPT chatbot engage with more mature content, including erotica, in a move aimed at “treating adult users like adults,” according to chief executive Sam Altman.
Upcoming updates, Altman explained in a recent post, will let ChatGPT interact in a way that feels more human, but only for those who want it. He promised these features “will not be enabled for everyone by default.”
Altman acknowledged this is a significant shift. For a long time, OpenAI kept ChatGPT heavily restricted, especially where mental health risks and sensitive content were involved. “We realize this made it less useful or enjoyable for many users who had no mental health problems, but given the seriousness of the issue we wanted to get this right,” Altman shared.
Earlier this year, OpenAI faced its first wrongful death lawsuit after the death of 16-year-old Adam Raine, whose parents argued the firm failed to provide adequate parental controls. As part of ongoing changes, OpenAI says it has improved safeguards and plans to make adult-themed features accessible only to verified adults as age-gating is rolled out more thoroughly in December.
Regulation, Safety and Industry Tensions
The decision has already drawn concern from those who say federal and state regulators need to catch up fast. Jenny Kim, a partner at Boies Schiller Flexner, questioned, “How are they going to make sure that children are not able to access the portions of ChatGPT that are adult-only and provide erotica?”
Earlier investigations exposed gaps in enforcement, such as underage users being able to generate explicit material after self-identifying as minors. OpenAI assured it was pushing updates to fix these lapses, but the worries about technology outpacing controls remain.
Meanwhile, a recent survey by the Centre for Democracy and Technology found that one in five students either had or knew someone with a romantic experience involving AI. That statistic has only intensified calls for stricter oversight and better tools to ensure young users’ safety.
California’s Governor Gavin Newsom recently blocked a bill that would have barred AI chatbots from interacting with children unless companies could guarantee they would not promote harmful behavior. Newsom argued it is crucial for today’s youth to learn how to navigate AI safely rather than banning or walling off technology.
On the national front, the US Federal Trade Commission has launched its own inquiry into AI chatbot interactions with children. In Congress, lawmakers are considering whether to designate AI chatbots as products, opening the door for users to sue developers over harms caused.
Amid the debate, OpenAI’s ambitions remain clear. The company’s revenue is climbing, but it has yet to reach profitability—a fact not lost on observers like Tulane University business professor Rob Lalka, who noted, “They needed to continue to push along that exponential growth curve, achieving market domination as much as they can.” Despite these challenges, the firm continues to innovate, for example with the latest version of its core model, while industry outlets also provide insights into developments such as AI advancements in writing, coding, and health.
