OpenAI is moving closer to fulfilling its promise of a more permissive version of its flagship AI chatbot. Following months of speculation and user feedback, the company has provided its first concrete timeline for the introduction of an "adult mode" in ChatGPT, tying its release directly to the refinement of a critical safety feature.
A Timeline Emerges for More Permissive AI
During a briefing on GPT-5.2 held on December 11, 2025, Fidji Simo, OpenAI's CEO of Applications, informed reporters that the company expects to debut "adult mode" within ChatGPT in the first quarter of 2026. This announcement provides the first specific timeframe for a feature that CEO Sam Altman has been hinting at for months. The delay, according to Simo, is intentional and centered on a prerequisite: the company wants to significantly improve its ability to predict user age before introducing content and interaction modes intended solely for adults.
Key Announcement Details:
- Feature: ChatGPT "Adult Mode"
- Announced By: Fidji Simo, OpenAI CEO of Applications
- Announcement Context: GPT-5.2 briefing on December 11, 2025
- Expected Launch Window: First Quarter of 2026 (Q1 2026)
- Primary Prerequisite: Successful deployment of accurate age prediction model.
The Crucial Gatekeeper: Age Prediction Technology
The cornerstone of OpenAI's plan for a bifurcated ChatGPT experience is an automated age prediction model. This system is designed to apply specific safeguards and content restrictions for users it identifies as under 18, without incorrectly flagging adults. Simo revealed that OpenAI is already in the early stages of testing this model in select countries. The primary goal of these tests is to gauge the model's accuracy in identifying teenagers while minimizing the risk of "mis-identifying adults," a balance the company deems essential before proceeding. This development aligns with a broader industry trend, as many online services are implementing more extensive age verification technologies to comply with new regulations.
Core Safety Mechanism: Age Prediction Model
- Purpose: To automatically apply safeguards and content restrictions for users under 18.
- Current Status: In early-stage testing in select countries.
- Key Testing Metric: Accuracy in identifying teens while avoiding misidentification of adults.
Context and Controversy Behind the "Adult" Promise
The push for an adult-oriented mode gained public momentum earlier in 2025. It followed user complaints that updates, particularly the transition to GPT-5, had overly sanitized ChatGPT's personality, making interactions feel sterile. Altman directly addressed these concerns in October, acknowledging the company had dialed back the chatbot's character in response to growing safety worries. These worries were amplified by a wrongful death lawsuit filed against OpenAI by the parents of a teenager. The promise of "adult mode" was positioned as a way to restore creative freedom for mature users, with Altman clarifying it would allow for the generation of content like erotica and enable the AI to develop a more customized, persistent personality during conversations.
The Broader Implications of Personalized AI Companionship
While framed as a matter of user choice, the prospect of deeply personalized AI interactions raises significant psychological and ethical questions. OpenAI itself has previously acknowledged the risk of users becoming emotionally reliant on ChatGPT. Research supports this concern; a study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships in 2025 found that adults who form emotional connections with chatbots report significantly higher levels of psychological distress. Other studies suggest individuals with fewer real-world relationships are more likely to confide in AI. Critics argue that offering a feature designed to foster attachment, even to adults, without fully understanding the long-term consequences, represents a complex ethical challenge.
A Cautious Path Forward
OpenAI's announcement signals a deliberate, safety-first approach to expanding ChatGPT's capabilities. By tethering the launch of "adult mode" to the success of its age prediction system, the company is attempting to preemptively address one of the most glaring risks. However, the briefing on December 11 made clear that the technology is still in testing, with no guaranteed launch date before the end of Q1 2026. The coming months will be critical for OpenAI as it refines its safeguards, navigating the fine line between offering adult users greater freedom and ensuring responsible deployment of its influential technology.