ChatGPT’s Adult Mode Launching Early 2026
▼ Summary
– OpenAI’s CEO of Applications, Fidji Simo, announced that an “adult mode” for ChatGPT is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2026.
– The company is prioritizing the development of a reliable age prediction model before introducing this adult content feature.
– This model is designed to automatically apply appropriate content safeguards and restrictions for users under 18 years old.
– OpenAI is currently testing this age prediction system in select countries to accurately identify teens without misidentifying adults.
– The move aligns with a broader industry trend of implementing more extensive age verification to comply with new regulations.
The anticipated launch of ChatGPT’s adult mode is now scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, according to a recent announcement from OpenAI. This timeline provides clarity on a feature that has been the subject of speculation for some time, following similar offerings from competitors like Grok. The company’s leadership emphasized that a robust age prediction system is a critical prerequisite before this new functionality can be safely introduced to users.
During a briefing focused on GPT-5.2, Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s CEO of Applications, detailed the company’s current efforts. She explained that OpenAI is in the preliminary phases of testing a sophisticated age prediction model. This technology is engineered to automatically determine when to enforce specific content safeguards and restrictions for individuals under the age of 18. The goal is to create a reliable system that accurately identifies teenage users without incorrectly flagging adults, a balance the company considers essential.
Simo noted that these initial tests are already underway in select countries. The objective is to rigorously assess the model’s precision in distinguishing between age groups. Getting this age verification right is a top priority for OpenAI, as it forms the foundational safety mechanism that must be in place before any adult-oriented content features are activated within the ChatGPT platform.
This development aligns with a broader industry trend. In recent months, numerous online platforms and services have been implementing more comprehensive age verification technologies. A significant driver for this shift is the need to comply with an evolving landscape of new digital safety and privacy regulations enacted by various governments. For OpenAI, the careful, phased approach to launching an adult mode reflects a commitment to deploying advanced AI responsibly while navigating these complex legal and ethical considerations.
(Source: The Verge)
