ChatGPT to Enable Adult-Only Intimate Conversations, Says Sam Altman
▼ Summary
– OpenAI will allow “erotica” for age-verified ChatGPT users in December as part of treating adult users like adults.
– The company is reintroducing GPT-4o as an option after user complaints that the new default GPT-5 model was less personable.
– OpenAI had made ChatGPT restrictive to address mental health concerns but is now relaxing restrictions with better detection tools.
– A new “well-being and AI” council of eight experts has been formed to handle complex or sensitive scenarios involving AI and mental health.
– Critics note the council lacks suicide prevention experts, despite recent calls for additional safeguards for users with suicidal thoughts.
OpenAI is preparing to introduce support for adult-oriented conversations, including erotica, for age-verified ChatGPT users. This significant policy shift was confirmed by CEO Sam Altman in a recent social media announcement. The change aligns with the company’s stated principle of treating adult users like adults and is expected to take effect alongside broader age-gating measures scheduled for December.
Altman explained that OpenAI had previously implemented strict content limitations to address potential mental health concerns. While well-intentioned, these restrictions made the chatbot less engaging for a large portion of users who did not face such issues. The company has since developed improved tools to identify when a user might be experiencing psychological distress, allowing for a more nuanced approach to content moderation.
In parallel with this update, OpenAI is also releasing a new version of ChatGPT designed to recapture the conversational qualities that made the GPT-4o model popular. This move comes shortly after GPT-5 was set as the default model, a decision that prompted user feedback criticizing the new model for being less personable and relatable.
To help navigate the complexities of AI and sensitive content, OpenAI has established a new advisory council focused on well-being. This group, composed of eight researchers specializing in the effects of technology on mental health, will guide the company’s handling of delicate situations. However, some observers have noted the absence of dedicated suicide prevention specialists on the panel, despite recent calls from experts in that field for stronger protective measures for vulnerable users.
With these new detection capabilities and advisory structures in place, Altman expressed confidence that OpenAI can safely ease most of the previous content restrictions. The overall goal is to strike a better balance between user safety and providing a more versatile and enjoyable experience for its adult user base.
(Source: The Verge)
