- OpenAI plans to launch “adult mode” for ChatGPT in early 2026.
- The feature will use artificial intelligence to determine the age of users before allowing access to adult content.
- Adult mode may experience a delay depending on the age prediction system.
ChatGPT is growing, or at least offering an adults-only version, starting next year. OpenAI CEO of Applications Fiji Simo confirmed the plan to debut “adult mode” in the first quarter of 2026. There's no more specific date yet, partly because the rollout won't happen until the company's new age-predicting AI model proves effective. OpenAI is currently testing the AI's ability to detect when someone is under 18 and automatically apply the correct content filters in several countries.
Unlike most websites that throw up a “verify your age” popup for something juicy, OpenAI doesn't want to rely on the honor system. While older internet services could get away with the “this content may be inappropriate” label, the interactivity of AI means developers have to think a lot more about what their tools can do and for whom. OpenAI wants to have more nuanced AI that can determine a user's likely age based on their behavior and context. Until this system is ready, adult content will remain prohibited on ChatGPT.
This news is not surprising as there have been rumors of an adult version of ChatGPT for a long time, especially since xAI has been experimenting with an age-restricted version of Grok. Simo's statement simply confirms that OpenAI is willing to use a more mature version of its tool, albeit with some restrictions for security and legality reasons.
And in fact, nudity and explicit content may not be the focus of ChatGPT's adult mode. This is a logical assumption, but comments from CEO Sam Altman and others imply that it may be more about the discovery of AI. chatbot to discuss topics that are currently prohibited by the content filter because they are not suitable for family viewing.
There have been complaints that ChatGPT is too prudish and strict in its rules, and gets cautious when the lines become even slightly blurred. Since everyone has their own line of what's appropriate, it probably made sense from a business perspective. Now OpenAI can have its cake and eat it with adult content.
Chat for adultsGPT
The benefits of ChatGPT's adult mode may seem a little mundane. Simply discussing human sexuality, relationships and mental health will take the AI chatbot into new territory.
But predicting age is not easy. Most systems rely on user-supplied data or facial recognition. OpenAI strives for behavioral interpretation. The company is training AI to determine maturity by the way someone speaks and what they want to discuss. But a mistake in either direction can have legal or business consequences.
And it's not that there won't be a lot of official and unofficial checks. Governments around the world are actively developing or enacting new regulations regarding online age verification, and OpenAI likely views this feature as an improvement to the user experience and a proactive measure to ensure compliance.
However, people like the personal touch of artificial intelligence. Adult mode is another way to give users more control over their ChatGPT experience, perhaps encouraging people to sign up for the ChatGPT premium tier. If the age tests work and people spend their time in adult mode, ChatGPT could set another artificial intelligence precedent, this time for more mature chatbots.
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