OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has announced that ChatGPT will soon allow erotic conversations for verified adult users, as part of a broader update that relaxes some of the chatbot’s existing safety restrictions.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Altman said the change aims to make ChatGPT’s responses more “natural and human-like,” while ensuring responsible use through strict age verification. “We made ChatGPT pretty restrictive to be cautious around mental health issues,” Altman wrote. “As we expand age-gating and embrace our ‘treat adult users like adults’ principle, we’ll allow more flexibility – including erotica for verified adults.”
According to OpenAI, the feature will rely on its age-prediction system to restrict access to adult users. If the system mistakenly flags an adult as a minor, users may need to verify their identity with a government-issued ID – a privacy tradeoff Altman described as “worthy.”
The move represents new ground for OpenAI, raising both interest and concern about how adult content might shape user behavior and affect vulnerable audiences. Research from the Center for Democracy and Technology notes that 19% of high school students have engaged in or know someone involved in an AI-based romantic relationship.
OpenAI recently launched GPT-5 with enhanced behavioral detection tools and additional safeguards for minors. The company also formed an advisory council of mental health experts to guide its AI well-being initiatives.
It remains unclear whether adult content permissions will extend to OpenAI’s voice, image, or video tools.
