According to Altman, this decision is aimed at respecting adult users. Previously, the company had already made statements about allowing the development of ChatGPT applications targeted at a mature audience, provided that necessary control mechanisms and age verification are in place.
It has now become clear that the new policy applies not only to third-party developments. The platform itself will begin to support candid conversations with AI, adhering to the relevant access conditions.
This step is quite logical in the context of competitive struggles in the market for personalized AI companions. For example, the startup xAI, founded by Elon Musk, has already introduced flirtatious virtual conversational partners in the form of 3D anime models in the Grok app. However, unlike xAI's offerings, which are more entertainment-oriented, OpenAI emphasizes user manageability and safety.
Among other innovations is the return of GPT-4o in ChatGPT as an additional option. This decision followed criticism of the new GPT-5 engine, which reportedly lost its "humanity." OpenAI acknowledged that excessive caution regarding mental health made the AI less useful and less acceptable for many users. In response, the company developed tools to identify users in distress and began a gradual relaxation of filters when it is safe to do so.
To create a long-term strategy for sensitive communication scenarios, OpenAI established an internal advisory board on well-being, consisting of eight experts studying the impact of digital technologies on mental health. However, as noted by Ars Technica, no suicide prevention specialists were included in the board, despite calls from relevant organizations to strengthen protections for vulnerable users.
These steps underscore OpenAI's commitment to adopting a more flexible and diverse stance regarding the use of its AI tools, demonstrating a willingness to adapt to societal demands, ethical standards, and the competitive environment.
