OpenAI to Restrict ChatGPT to 18+ Users
OpenAI seems set to lock ChatGPT behind an 18-plus gate, according to a quick note from The Rundown AI. The headline “ChatGPT to go 18+” hints at a pretty big policy tweak. While the source material is thin, it looks like the change is tied to OpenAI “venturing into the tempting, sometimes even risky, alley of erotica.”
Sam Altman was quoted saying something like “the assistant w…” - a fragment that suggests a larger point about what the AI can do or how it should be used. That fragment, plus the age limit, makes it look like the company is gearing up for more adult-focused content and wants a stricter age filter. Around the same time, there was a shout-out to an open-source AI that hit “silver-level IMO performance,” but the preview gave no further details.
Why now? The bits we have point to a push into new content areas as the main reason. By formally restricting access to adults, OpenAI can probably let the model touch topics that were off-limits before. It’s a clear shift from the earlier, all-ages vibe, though exactly what “erotica” means here is still fuzzy.
- The Rundown AI - Posts - ChatGPT to go 18+ ChatGPT to go 18+ PLUS: Open-source AI achieves silver-level IMO performance Good morning, AI enthusiasts. OpenAI is finally breaking the shackles and venturing into the tempting, sometimes even risky, alley of erotica… CEO Sam Altman says the assistant will soon “treat adult users like adults”. But in the race to make the experience more “enjoyable,” OpenAI may be opening a Pandora’s box — where the line between intimacy and illusion blurs faster than it can be policed. In today’s AI rundown: OpenAI to allow erotica on ChatGPT Ant Group’s thinking model bags IMO silver Automate market research in minutes AI slop nears human content on the web 4 new AI tools, community workflows, and more LATEST DEVELOPMENTS OPENAI Image source: Reve / The Rundown The Rundown: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman just announced personality improvements planned for ChatGPT, including one that would allow the AI assistant to have mature, erotic conversations with eligible users — much like xAI’s Grok companions.
OpenAI seems to be changing tack. Sam Altman just said ChatGPT will soon “treat adult users like adults,” which hints at letting the model handle more mature stuff - maybe even erotica. That could make chats feel more fun, but it also feels risky.
It’s hard to say where the new line will be drawn; the biggest worry is that the boundary between intimacy and illusion might start to blur. To keep things in check, the company is now limiting the service to people 18 and older. It’s a sensible safety net, yet it also paints the whole platform as an adult-focused space.
At the same time, open-source projects are hitting silver-level scores on the International Mathematical Olympiad, showing a different direction - raw problem-solving power versus subtle human-like interaction. Whether OpenAI’s bet on a looser chatbot will actually improve the experience or bring unexpected trouble is still up in the air. What’s clear is that they’re counting on users to take responsibility for what they ask.
More in LLMs & Generative AI
Google pushes Gemini rollout to 2026, delays Android Assistant swap
Why does this matter now? For years, Android users have expected a smooth handoff from the familiar...
OpenAI now adds tone controls and streamlined email editing to ChatGPT
OpenAI just rolled out a set of tweaks that feel oddly personal for a chatbot. While the core model...
Google releases FunctionGemma, a tiny model for natural‑language mobile control
Here's the thing: mobile phones are the most common computing platform, yet most AI assistants...
Chinese scammers used AI images for refund fraud; police held buyer eight days
When a shopper in Shanghai posted a video of a defective product, the footage looked...
Gemini pulls Google Calendar data to auto‑suggest meeting times in email replies
Why does this matter? In a flood of AI shortcuts that promise to shave minutes off daily tasks,...
Common Questions Answered
Why is OpenAI restricting ChatGPT access to users 18 and older?
OpenAI is implementing this age restriction as part of its new approach to allow more mature content, with CEO Sam Altman stating ChatGPT will soon 'treat adult users like adults.' This policy change is connected to OpenAI venturing into what the article describes as 'the tempting, sometimes even risky, alley of erotica,' signaling a shift toward permitting more adult-oriented interactions.
What potential risks does the article identify with OpenAI's new adult-focused approach?
The article suggests that while making the AI experience more 'enjoyable,' OpenAI may be opening a Pandora's box by blurring important boundaries. Specifically, there's concern about the line 'between intimacy and illusion' becoming unclear, which could lead to problematic interactions and unintended consequences for users and the platform.
What does CEO Sam Altman mean by saying ChatGPT will 'treat adult users like adults'?
Sam Altman's statement indicates that OpenAI plans to allow ChatGPT to handle more mature content and conversations that were previously restricted. This represents a significant shift in the platform's accessibility policy, moving toward permitting adult-oriented interactions that acknowledge users' maturity while potentially including erotic content.
How does the article characterize OpenAI's move into more mature content areas?
The article describes OpenAI's new direction as 'venturing into the tempting, sometimes even risky, alley of erotica,' suggesting this represents the company 'breaking the shackles' of previous content restrictions. This characterization highlights both the potential appeal of this approach and the significant risks involved in allowing more adult content.