OpenAI plans to permit a wider range of content, including erotica, on its ChatGPT platform as part of efforts to “treat adult users like adults,” CEO Sam Altman announced on Tuesday.
In a post on X, Altman said upcoming versions of ChatGPT would be able to act in a more human-like way — “but only if you want it.” He stressed that the move is not aimed at “usage maxxing,” but at improving user experience.
The decision, which mirrors Elon Musk’s xAI rollout of explicit chatbots on Grok, is expected to attract more paying subscribers but could also heighten pressure on regulators to impose stricter age-control measures.
Altman said OpenAI initially made ChatGPT “pretty restrictive” to protect users with mental-health vulnerabilities. However, he noted that new safety systems now allow the company to “safely relax the restrictions in most cases.”
“In December, 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 said.
The announcement follows a lawsuit filed earlier this year by Matt and Maria Raine, parents of a 16-year-old who took his own life after allegedly engaging with ChatGPT. The case marked the first wrongful-death suit against OpenAI.
Critics say the policy shift underscores the need for tighter regulation. Lawyer Jenny Kim of Boies Schiller Flexner questioned how OpenAI would ensure minors cannot access adult-only content, warning that “big tech is just using people like guinea pigs.”
A recent study by the Centre for Democracy and Technology found one in five students know someone who has had a romantic relationship with AI. Meanwhile, the US Federal Trade Commission has opened an inquiry into how AI chatbots interact with children.
At the same time, AI legislation is gaining momentum in Washington. A bipartisan Senate bill seeks to classify chatbots as consumer products, potentially allowing users to sue developers for harm caused by their software.
OpenAI has not publicly responded to Altman’s post. The company’s revenue continues to grow rapidly, though it has yet to post a profit.
