With Personalities and Adult Mode

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has announced that a new version of ChatGPT is coming soon: one that promises to be more similar in nature to its original version, with a few extras added.

The upcoming update will introduce looser filters, customizable ringtones, more colorful and vibrant emoji-filled personalities, and even an additional “adult mode” for verified users.

This plan marks a clear philosophical shift from OpenAI: away from rigid professionalism towards greater flexibility and freedom of choice for users.

In the months since GPT-5 was introduced, users complained that the chatbot has become more like a corporate “compliance bot” than a conversational partner.

Now OpenAI appears to be taking this feedback into account and preparing to loosen the reins.

But as Sam Altman reopens the door to a freer, more expressive ChatGPT, we're faced with one question. Is this a return to creativity or a new frontier of contradictions?

Reclaiming GPT-4o's identity

When GPT-4o was released earlier this year, users praised its humor, natural pacing and sometimes even this sympathy. This was in stark contrast to the more formal and reserved feel of GPT-5 that followed; many lacked the charm, wit and spontaneity that made GPT-4o feel “human”.

Now OpenAI says the next ChatGPT update will reintroduce that personality. Sam Altman announced on X that users will soon be able to customize the tone, use of emoji, and conversational style to suit their preferences.

In response to commenter X: Altman agreed that the goal of this move is to make ChatGPT feel less like a “compliance bot” and more like “a person you can actually talk to.”

The move is a direct response to users becoming tired of bland, overly sanitized AI. And yet OpenAI can compete with more expressive competitors, such as Anthropic's Claude and Meta's AI avatars, which simultaneously emphasize personality and charm.

ChatGPT 18+: controversy about “adult mode”

The biggest change in the upcoming OpenAI ChatGPT update is the introduction of a new “mature mode”. This feature will allow verified users 18 years of age or older to access the creation of erotica and other age-restricted content.

As reported by The Guardianthis mode will allow for explicit stories, romance, and adult themes, all within the ethical boundaries defined by OpenAI's revised content policy.

This is a significant change for the company, which has long supported a complete ban on sexually or violent content except in educational or historical contexts.

The rollout will also include age detection tools, identity verification and parental controls for younger users: all of which are intended to separate the new features.

Despite the introduction of age restrictions, the move was controversial. Critics warn it could open the door to abuse, consent issues and mental health risks, while supporters hail it as a much-needed recognition of adults' creative freedom and independence.

The Big Picture: From Productivity Tool to Digital Companion

ChatGPT's latest update marks a significant shift in OpenAI's philosophy, transforming the chatbot from a work-focused productivity assistant into a personal companion that adapts to each user's tone, context, and even mood.

The move is one of a broader trend sweeping the AI ​​chatbot industry. Platforms like Meta's Emu, Google's Gemini, and Replika all work towards the same goal: make AI feel more emotionally responsive and less “bot-like”.

Altman's move suggests that OpenAI no longer views ChatGPT simply as a productivity and productivity tool. Instead, he begins to see it as something closer to a real human interlocutor, capable of being serious, playful and even intimate.

However, this shift clearly blurs some boundaries. As ChatGPT becomes more expressive and even adult-oriented, the line between usefulness and communication becomes increasingly blurred, raising questions about emotional attachment, privacy and authenticity in interactions with artificial intelligence.

For OpenAI, it's a balance between freedom, safety, self-expression and ethics. The new ChatGPT demonstrates a mature philosophy: trust users to make choices, but make sure those choices don't compromise integrity.