OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, announced on Tuesday that the platform will permit mature content for adult users of ChatGPT who verify their age, with the new policy set to take effect in December. Altman emphasized the importance of treating adult users with maturity and respect, stating that verified adults will have access to content like erotica.
Initially, OpenAI had imposed strict limitations on ChatGPT to prioritize mental health considerations, which inadvertently reduced the chatbot’s appeal to users without mental health concerns. Altman acknowledged this impact but stressed the company’s commitment to addressing mental health issues responsibly.
Altman revealed that OpenAI has developed new tools to address mental health concerns effectively, enabling the platform to relax restrictions in most cases. In the upcoming weeks, a new version of ChatGPT will be introduced, allowing users to customize the chatbot’s tone and personality to a greater extent.
In a related development, Meta recently announced enhanced restrictions for Instagram users under 18, aiming to filter content to a level equivalent to a PG-13 movie. OpenAI also introduced parental controls for ChatGPT following a lawsuit related to the tragic death of a teenager who had engaged with the chatbot. The company is working on an age-prediction system to identify users under 18 and apply appropriate restrictions based on their interactions with ChatGPT.
