Summary: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently addressed the buzz around ChatGPT’s potential to generate adult content, clarifying that “erotica” was just one example of increased user freedom for verified adults. While OpenAI plans to relax some safeguards, it remains clear that explicit pornography is off the table. This article explores what this means for ChatGPT users and the company’s approach to balancing innovation with responsibility.
A Clarification from Sam Altman
On October 15, 2025, Sam Altman took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify a previous post that had sparked significant attention. He explained that when he mentioned ChatGPT might soon create “custom erotica,” it was intended as just one example of OpenAI allowing more freedom for adult users. Altman acknowledged that the erotica aspect received more focus than he anticipated and aimed to communicate the broader intent more clearly.
“Ok this tweet about upcoming changes to ChatGPT blew up on the erotica point much more than I thought it was going to! It was meant to be just one example of us allowing more user freedom for adults.”
— Sam Altman (@sama)
What Does ‘Erotica’ Mean for ChatGPT?
The term “erotica” can be ambiguous. Traditionally, it refers to art or literature that includes sensual or titillating content but is often distinguished from pornography by its perceived artistic or literary value. OpenAI has made it clear in the past that it does not intend to create AI-generated pornography. So, while users might expect some adult-themed content, it won’t cross into explicit pornographic territory.
Text or Images? The Big Question
One question remains: will this adult content be limited to text-based chats, or will it extend to images generated by OpenAI’s DALL·E model? DALL·E is known for creating impressive images, including anime-style art, and there is speculation about whether it might soon generate adult-themed images, such as hentai. OpenAI has not yet clarified this aspect, but we will update when more information becomes available.
Why the Focus on Adult Content?
The upcoming update aims to remove some safeguards, allowing “verified adults” to access a less restricted version of ChatGPT. This move seems to respond to user demand for more freedom and personalization. Additionally, OpenAI faces significant financial pressures, with projected cash outflows around $115 billion through 2029. Exploring adult content could be a strategic way to tap into a lucrative market, as the online adult industry is estimated to be worth nearly $200 billion.
Altman has previously defended controversial content like the launch of Sora 2, which features a flood of low-quality videos, by emphasizing its ability to entertain and generate revenue to support OpenAI’s computational needs.
Balancing Freedom and Responsibility
Altman adopted a free-speech tone in his clarifications, emphasizing that allowing users significant freedom in how they use AI aligns with OpenAI’s mission. He stated, “We are not the elected moral police of the world,” highlighting the company’s intention to respect adult users’ choices while navigating the complex ethical landscape.
In summary, while OpenAI is preparing to offer more adult-oriented features in ChatGPT, it remains committed to avoiding explicit pornography and balancing user freedom with responsible AI use.