OpenAI has indefinitely postponed the launch of "adult mode," a feature for providing adult content. With concerns from investors, experts, and internal staff overlapping, the plan is effectively on hold.
The Financial Times (FT) reported on the 26th that OpenAI decided to delay development and release of the feature that generates sexual content, considering the controversy over its potential impact on society. It was initially expected to launch in the first quarter of this year, but no specific timeline has been set.
OpenAI said it plans to study the effects of sexual expression and emotional interaction on users over the long term, but acknowledged that there is not yet sufficient empirical research to support this.
OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman had emphasized the need to allow content for adult users, but the company reportedly shifted course amid internal pushback and opposition from experts on an advisory committee. Investors were also said to be negative, noting that the business benefit is limited compared with the ethical risks.
Technical constraints also played a role. Along with filtering illegal or unethical data in the training process for adult content, fully blocking access by minors was flagged as an unresolved issue. In fact, the error rate of the age estimation system exceeding 10% added to the concern.
The decision also aligns with a broader move to reprioritize the business ahead of an initial public offering (IPO). OpenAI is reorganizing around enterprise services to focus on strengthening profitability and investing in data centers, and recently said it would halt the video generation service "Sora."