OpenAI plans to allow a wider range of content, including erotica, on its popular chatbot ChatGPT as part of its push to treat adult users like adults, says its boss Sam Altman.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Mr. Altman mentioned that upcoming versions of the chatbot would enable it to behave in a more human-like manner - but only if you want it, not because we are usage maxxing.
This move, reminiscent of Elon Musk's xAI recent introduction of two sexually explicit chatbots to Grok, could help OpenAI attract more paying subscribers.
The decision is likely to intensify the pressure on lawmakers to introduce tighter restrictions on chatbot companions.
OpenAI did not respond to the BBC's requests for comment following Mr. Altman's post.
The changes announced by the company come after it was sued earlier this year by parents of a US teen who took his own life.
The lawsuit filed by Matt and Maria Raine, who are the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine, was the first legal action accusing OpenAI of wrongful death.
The Californian couple criticized the company's parental controls - which it claimed were designed to promote healthier use of its chatbot - saying they did not go far enough.
Displayed chat logs revealed exchanges between Adam, who died in April, and ChatGPT where he expressed suicidal thoughts.
Mr. Altman stated that OpenAI previously made ChatGPT pretty restrictive to ensure we were being careful with mental health issues. He acknowledged this made it less enjoyable for many users without mental health complications, yet emphasized the importance of being cautious.
He asserted that the company has now developed tools to mitigate serious mental health risks, allowing more relaxed restrictions on content.
From December, as OpenAI rolls out more comprehensive age-gating, they will permit adult-oriented content like erotica for verified users.
Critics have voiced that OpenAI's decision highlights the urgent need for regulation at federal and state levels. Jenny Kim, a partner at the law firm Boies Schiller Flexner, remarked on the challenges of ensuring children won't access adult-only content.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an inquiry into how AI chatbots interact with children, while bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the Senate to classify AI chatbots as products and allow liability claims against developers.
The recent Moves by ChatGPT come amid skepticism over the financial viability of AI tech companies. Tulane University business professor Rob Lalka noted that the rapid adoption of ChatGPT necessitates continued growth efforts by OpenAI to maintain its market position.
