OpenAI will begin allowing mature content for verified adult users of ChatGPT starting in December, Chief Executive Sam Altman announced on Tuesday. The move marks a shift in the company’s approach to content moderation as it seeks to balance user freedom with responsible AI governance.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Altman said the decision follows the introduction of age verification measures on the ChatGPT platform and reflects OpenAI’s principle of “treating adult users like adults.”
“As we roll out age-gating more fully and as part of our ‘treat adult users like adults’ principle, we will allow even more, like erotica for verified adults,” Altman wrote.
Altman explained that ChatGPT had previously been made “pretty restrictive” in order to safeguard users experiencing mental health distress, but that these limitations had also made the chatbot “less useful and enjoyable” for many others. He said OpenAI has since developed new tools and safeguards that allow the system to better handle sensitive content responsibly, paving the way for a gradual relaxation of restrictions “in most cases.”
The company also plans to release a new version of ChatGPT in the coming weeks that will give users greater control over the chatbot’s tone and personality.
“If you want your ChatGPT to respond in a very human-like way, or use a ton of emoji, or act like a friend, ChatGPT should do it — but only if you want it,” Altman wrote, emphasizing that the company is not seeking to maximize engagement at any cost.
OpenAI’s policy update comes as tech companies face increasing scrutiny over AI content moderation and its impact on young users. Earlier on Tuesday, Meta announced new safety measures for Instagram and its generative AI tools, including filters modeled after the PG-13 movie rating system to limit what users under 18 can access.
OpenAI’s upcoming changes underscore the company’s effort to differentiate between age-appropriate access and responsible AI use, signaling a broader industry trend toward more nuanced, context-driven content moderation in generative AI platforms.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Altman said the decision follows the introduction of age verification measures on the ChatGPT platform and reflects OpenAI’s principle of “treating adult users like adults.”
“As we roll out age-gating more fully and as part of our ‘treat adult users like adults’ principle, we will allow even more, like erotica for verified adults,” Altman wrote.
Altman explained that ChatGPT had previously been made “pretty restrictive” in order to safeguard users experiencing mental health distress, but that these limitations had also made the chatbot “less useful and enjoyable” for many others. He said OpenAI has since developed new tools and safeguards that allow the system to better handle sensitive content responsibly, paving the way for a gradual relaxation of restrictions “in most cases.”
The company also plans to release a new version of ChatGPT in the coming weeks that will give users greater control over the chatbot’s tone and personality.
“If you want your ChatGPT to respond in a very human-like way, or use a ton of emoji, or act like a friend, ChatGPT should do it — but only if you want it,” Altman wrote, emphasizing that the company is not seeking to maximize engagement at any cost.
OpenAI’s policy update comes as tech companies face increasing scrutiny over AI content moderation and its impact on young users. Earlier on Tuesday, Meta announced new safety measures for Instagram and its generative AI tools, including filters modeled after the PG-13 movie rating system to limit what users under 18 can access.
OpenAI’s upcoming changes underscore the company’s effort to differentiate between age-appropriate access and responsible AI use, signaling a broader industry trend toward more nuanced, context-driven content moderation in generative AI platforms.
