OpenAI is delaying its “adult mode” for ChatGPT

Last fall, OpenAI, ChatGPT’s parent company, promised to enable an “adult mode” for verified users of the service in the first quarter of 2026. Today, we learned that the service has been delayed.

In a brief summary, independent journalist Alex Heath revealed in his Sources newsletter that an OpenAI spokesperson told him the company was “pushing the launch of adult mode.” OpenAI further stated that the company wants to “focus on tasks that are currently a higher priority for more users,” such as “personality enhancement, personalization, and creating a more proactive experience.”

The news might disappoint some, as “adult mode” was supposed to launch in the first quarter of this year. Erotica is seen as a potentially lucrative market for AI, and many people already rely on generative AI to establish romantic relationships or find “digital companions” for NSFW chats. However, there are also apprehensions about the marriage of artificial intelligence and human sexuality, with experts warning of the “AI porn problem” and the ethical problems that could arise from giving all-powerful software access to our fantasies.

According to the report of The Wall Street Journala former OpenAI employee even claims they were fired over concerns about the promised launch of erotic content on the service, particularly regarding the mental health of ChatGPT users and the ease with which teenagers could still access the content. Elon Musk’s Grok AI has already faced heavy criticism for its “digital undressing” feature, used to undress real people without their consent.

Despite the controversy and the latest delay, OpenAI has continued to roll out age verification features for access control functions and has not hesitated to commit to giving its users maximum autonomy. “We still believe in the principle of treating adults like adults,” the spokesperson told Heath, “but it will take longer to get a good experience.”

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, filed a lawsuit in April against OpenAI, alleging that it violated Ziff Davis’ copyrights in the training and operation of its AI systems.