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OpenAI is delaying the launch of “adult mode” for ChatGPT after admitting it had more pressing priorities than introducing erotica on its signature artificial intelligence product.
The startup’s chief executive, Sam Altman, had announced last year that OpenAI would allow adult content as it rolled out age checking.
However, the company has now said the plan has been delayed in favour of more immediate requirements such as improving ChatGPT’s performance.
“We’re pushing out the launch of adult mode so we can focus on work that is a higher priority for more users right now, including gains in intelligence, personality improvements, personalisation, and making the experience more proactive,” said OpenAI, which has more than 900 million users of ChatGPT. “We still believe in the principle of treating adults like adults, but getting the experience right will take more time.”
Since he announced plans last October to relax restrictions on ChatGPT, Altman has declared a “code red” to improve the chatbot amid concerted competition from rivals led by Google and Anthropic. In the meantime, OpenAI is rolling out age prediction tools that determine whether a user is under 18. If a user is underage, extra safety settings kick in, reducing exposure to graphic violence and sexual role play.
In the UK, if ChatGPT produces images that are deemed pornographic under the Online Safety Act, OpenAI would need to shield that content from underage users with strict age checking.
Separately, one of the most senior managers at OpenAI has resigned over the startup’s US deal with the Pentagon.
Caitlin Kalinowski, the head of hardware within OpenAI’s robotics division, said she was concerned about mass surveillance of US citizens and AI-guided machines carrying out autonomous killing.
“This wasn’t an easy call,” Kalinowski wrote in a post on X. “AI has an important role in national security. But surveillance of Americans without judicial oversight and lethal autonomy without human authorization are lines that deserved more deliberation than they got.”
Kalinowski, who said she had “deep respect for Sam and the team”, said in a further post that her issue was with the rapid execution of the deal.
“To be clear, my issue is that the announcement was rushed without the guardrails defined. It’s a governance concern first and foremost. These are too important for deals or announcements to be rushed,” she wrote.
OpenAI said last week it would amend its contract with the Department of War to explicitly exclude its technology being used for mass domestic surveillance after Altman admitted the deal looked “opportunistic and sloppy”.
OpenAI made the deal almost immediately after the Pentagon’s existing AI contractor, Anthropic, was dropped.
An OpenAI spokesperson said: “We believe our agreement with the Pentagon creates a workable path for responsible national security uses of AI while making clear our red lines: no domestic surveillance and no autonomous weapons.
“We recognise that people have strong views about these issues and we will continue to engage in discussion with employees, government, civil society and communities around the world.”
