OpenAI plans to allow a wider range of content, including erotica, on its popular chatbot ChatGPT as part of its push to 'treat adult users like adults', says its boss Sam Altman.
In a post on X, Mr. Altman said upcoming versions of ChatGPT would enable it to behave in a more human-like way - 'but only if you want it, not because we are usage maxxing'.
This move could help OpenAI attract more paying subscribers and comes shortly after Elon Musk's xAI introduced sexually explicit chatbots to Grok.
Moreover, it is likely to intensify pressure on lawmakers to introduce tighter restrictions regarding chatbot companions.
OpenAI's changes follow a lawsuit from the parents of a teen who took his own life earlier this year, highlighting concerns over mental health risks linked to chatbot interactions. Altman noted that the company had previously restricted ChatGPT due to serious mental health considerations but is now ready to 'safely relax the restrictions' with new tools in place.
Critics argue that allowing erotica on ChatGPT illustrates the pressing need for regulation, particularly to ensure children do not access adult-only content. Questions loom about the effectiveness of age-gating mechanisms OpenAI plans to implement.
In California, Governor Gavin Newsom recently vetoed a bill that aimed to limit AI chatbot access to children, emphasizing the importance of adolescents learning to navigate AI safely.
As OpenAI pushes to continue its rapid growth and address market competition, attention will remain focused on how it balances user engagement with safety and ethical considerations.
