Sam Altman introduces ChatGPT ‘adult mode’ with new age based access and customizable feature
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has announced that ChatGPT will soon launch a new update ‘adult mode’. Read to know more.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has announced that ChatGPT will soon launch a new ‘adult mode’. The new mode is designed to apply different levels of restrictions based on a user’s age.
The OpenAI CEO announced the update and said that the company’s earlier approach was “too restrictive” because it aimed to be extra cautious about mental health issues, making ChatGPT less useful for many users.
He wrote on X, “We made ChatGPT pretty restrictive to make sure we were being careful with mental health issues. We realize this made it less useful/enjoyable to many users who had no mental health problems, but given the seriousness of the issue we wanted to get this right.”
“In a few weeks, we plan to put out a new version of ChatGPT that allows people to have a personality that behaves more like what people liked about 4o (we hope it will be better!)” he added.
He also revealed that an updated version of ChatGPT will soon let users control the chatbot’s tone and personality, allowing it to sound more human, friendly or expressive with emojis, depending on personal preference.
Further, the announcement sparked backlash online particularly over Altman’s mention that verified adult users would be allowed access to erotica. Responding to the criticism, he later clarified the company’s focus is on age appropriate AI access and not promoting adult content.
He emphasized that OpenAI will continue to restrict harmful or unsafe content and will handle user in mental health crises with extra care.
He then explained, “But we are not the elected moral police of the world. In the same way that society differentiates other appropriate boundaries (R-rated movies, for example) we want to do a similar thing here.”
The new update is set to roll out in December.
We made ChatGPT pretty restrictive to make sure we were being careful with mental health issues. We realize this made it less useful/enjoyable to many users who had no mental health problems, but given the seriousness of the issue we wanted to get this right.
Now that we have…
— Sam Altman (@sama) October 14, 2025
