OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, announced on Tuesday that the platform will start allowing mature content, including erotica, for adult ChatGPT users who verify their age, beginning in December. Altman emphasized the importance of treating adult users like adults and mentioned that OpenAI had initially implemented strict restrictions on ChatGPT to address mental health concerns, which inadvertently limited its usefulness and enjoyment for many users without such issues.
Altman shared that OpenAI has developed new tools to address mental health concerns effectively, enabling the platform to relax restrictions in most cases. In the near future, OpenAI plans to introduce a ChatGPT version that will offer users more control over the chatbot’s tone and personality, allowing for more human-like interactions based on user preferences.
In a related development, Meta recently introduced enhanced restrictions on Instagram for users under 18, aimed at filtering out content deemed more mature than what is typically seen in a PG-13 movie. OpenAI has also implemented parental controls for ChatGPT to prevent inappropriate conversations, such as those related to flirtation, suicide, or self-harm, with users under 18. These measures were introduced following a tragic incident where a teenager who had been engaging with ChatGPT took his own life, leading to legal action by the family.
OpenAI is working on an age-prediction system to estimate users’ ages based on their interactions with ChatGPT and to apply appropriate restrictions to ensure the safety and well-being of younger users.