OpenAI plans to introduce an “adult mode” in ChatGPT, with a rollout targeted for the first quarter of 2026. The company is prioritizing accuracy in its age-prediction system before making the feature available.
During a Thursday briefing about GPT-5.2, Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s CEO of Applications, shared that the team expects adult mode to launch in ChatGPT in Q1 2026. She emphasized that getting the age-detection mechanism right is a prerequisite for the feature’s release.
OpenAI is currently in the early stages of testing its age-prediction model. The goal is for the system to automatically determine when safeguards and content restrictions should apply to users under 18. Simo noted that tests are already underway in certain countries to assess the model’s ability to distinguish teens from adults, ensuring accurate identification and minimizing false positives. The company wants to nail this accuracy before rolling out adult features.
In recent months, numerous online services have expanded their age-verification technologies, driven in part by new regulatory requirements. This broader push to verify age has sparked discussions about privacy, accuracy, and user experience.
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- Hayden Field
- Jay Peters
