ChatGPT will soon allow verified adults to engage in erotic conversations

OpenAI is preparing to broaden the kinds of content allowed on ChatGPT — including erotica — as part of its plan to “treat adult users like adults,” according to CEO Sam Altman. In a recent post, Altman said future versions of the bot will be able to act in a more human-like way — “but only if you want it, not because we are usage maxxing.”

He noted that the company previously imposed restrictive limits on ChatGPT to protect mental health, but now believes it has developed new tools to relax them more safely. Starting in December, OpenAI plans to roll out age gating more fully, and permit erotica for verified adults.

The announcement follows growing competition: for example, Elon Musk’s xAI recently introduced sexually explicit chatbots for its Grok system. Some see OpenAI’s shift as a means to draw more paying users, though it also raises new pressure on regulators to impose stricter limits on companion-style chatbots.

Critics warn about the risks, especially regarding child access and mental health. OpenAI has been under scrutiny since it was sued earlier this year by the parents of a U.S. teenager who died by suicide, alleging that ChatGPT aided in their son’s emotional distress. The company said it is reviewing its safety measures and expressed sympathy for the family.