Chatgpt'S Steamy New Chapter: Adult Mode To Debut With Age Checks In 2026

ChatGPT's Bold New Direction: Adult Mode Incoming

OpenAI's ChatGPT is gearing up for a racy revamp with the much-anticipated adult mode poised for release in early 2026. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has hinted at a more mature approach to AI interactions, aiming to treat adults as adults with the introduction of flirty chats, erotica, and more. However, the rollout is conditional on OpenAI's ability to verify users' ages effectively.

According to a report by The Verge, this adult-centric update will only see the light of day if a sophisticated age verification system can be implemented successfully. The aim is to ensure that NSFW content is accessible exclusively to users of legal age, moving away from the trust-based "opt-in" system currently in place.

Age Verification: The Key to Unlocking NSFW Features

The responsibility of verifying ages falls to OpenAI's CEO of Applications, Fidji Simo, who disclosed that the company is developing a state-of-the-art AI-powered age verification system. This system leverages large language models to estimate users' ages by analyzing their in-app behavior alongside other signals. While still in the nascent stages, this age-check technology is being piloted in select countries.

“Our primary goal is to ensure that teenagers aren't masquerading as adults,” Simo reportedly shared, emphasizing the importance of this system's success before any adult mode rollout can proceed.

OpenAI's careful approach highlights its commitment to safeguarding underage users from adult-only content, ensuring that only verified adults can engage with the platform's new offerings.

Features and Access: What to Expect

Should the age verification system prove effective, ChatGPT's adult mode is set to debut in early 2026, with the United States likely being the first to experience this intriguing update. However, there's a catch – the adult mode might only be available to paid subscribers, so free users may not get to explore these spicy features.

Back in October, Sam Altman teased the adult-only features without revealing specifics, but he alluded to allowing users to engage in flirtatious exchanges and even access "erotica," provided they clear the age verification checks. This move comes as a potential remedy to user dissatisfaction following the removal of the GPT-4o model, which many found more engaging and human-like compared to its successor, GPT-5.