OpenAI will soon allow a wider range of content on ChatGPT, including erotica, as part of efforts to “treat adult users like adults,” chief executive Sam Altman announced on Tuesday.
In a post on X, Mr Altman said the chatbot would become “more human-like” if users wanted, but not to “maximise usage.” He added that the new policy would include age-gating to protect minors, with erotica only available for verified adults from December.
The move mirrors Elon Musk’s company xAI, which recently introduced two sexually explicit chatbots for its Grok platform. Analysts say this could help OpenAI attract more paying users but will also invite scrutiny from lawmakers worried about online safety.
OpenAI faced criticism earlier this year after being sued by the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine, a US teenager who took his own life after conversations with ChatGPT. The company expressed sympathy but declined to comment further on the case.
Mr Altman said the company had previously restricted ChatGPT’s content to protect users’ mental health but now felt ready to relax limits after developing “new tools” to reduce risks.
In the UK, written erotica does not require age checks under the Online Safety Act, though AI-generated pornographic images do. Critics in the US argue the policy highlights the need for stronger regulation.
Lawyer Jenny Kim said OpenAI risked using “people like guinea pigs,” while experts warned children could still access adult material.
Despite concerns, OpenAI insists it wants responsible freedom for adult users as AI competition intensifies worldwide.
