A new capability for ChatGPT that allows adult only interactions is expected to arrive in early 2026, according to recent reports, subject to successful age verification safeguards.
The feature, often referred to as ChatGPT’s adult mode, was first hinted at in October when OpenAI CEO Sam Altman spoke about the company’s approach of “treating adult users as users.” The idea signaled that verified users above the legal age could access more explicit use cases from the AI chatbot.
According to a report by a technology publication, OpenAI’s CEO of Applications, Fidji Simo, said the adult mode could be introduced in the first quarter of 2026. With this update, ChatGPT would join other AI platforms that already offer “not safe for work” content.
However, OpenAI has made it clear that the feature will only be launched if the company can reliably confirm that the user is an adult. To address this, OpenAI is working on an AI driven age verification system instead of relying on the current opt in model.
The company has previously shared details about its age verification admin tools. These tools use custom large language models to infer a user’s age based on in app behaviour and other signals. Simo reportedly said that this system is still in early testing and is being used in select countries to detect teenagers who misidentify as adults.
If these tests meet OpenAI’s standards, the adult mode is expected to roll out in early 2026, with the United States likely to be the first market. Reports also suggest that access to this feature may be limited to paid subscribers.
In October, Altman also said OpenAI is developing a separate set of adult exclusive features that would allow broader interactions with ChatGPT. While specific functions were not detailed, he hinted at possibilities such as flirtatious conversations and even “erotica” for verified adult users.
The announcement came after some users expressed disappointment over the removal of the GPT 4o model following the launch of GPT 5. Many users felt the older model was more conversational and “human like.”
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