If you were expecting ChatGPT to get an “erotic mode,” that idea is officially off the table. According to Financial Times, OpenAI’s spicy mode is on hold “indefinitely.”

How OpenAI struggled to bring this feature to life

OpenAI’s so-called “adult mode” for ChatGPT was never meant to be fully explicit. Earlier reports indicated it would be limited to text-based erotica, with strict guardrails to avoid graphic or unsafe content. The feature was also expected to be restricted to verified adult users, adding another layer of control.

However, the rollout kept getting delayed. OpenAI cited safety concerns, technical limitations, and the need to prioritize broader improvements to ChatGPT’s core capabilities.

The company plans to shift its focus back to its core products, for now. The move also comes after concerns from both staff and investors about the broader social impact of sexualized AI content.

OpenAI has said it wants to study the long-term effects of explicit conversations and emotional dependency before making any final call, noting there is currently no solid evidence to guide such decisions.

Why OpenAI backing off actually makes sense right now

Ever since it was announced that OpenAI planned an erotic mode for ChatGPT targeted at adults, plenty of concerns have been raised. AI chatbots, including ChatGPT, are now tangled in legal cases where conversations ended up with a lost live. A series of suicides and incidents of violent behavior linked to AI influence have emerged in the past couple of years. 

Last year, a couple from California sued OpenAI, alleging that their son took his life after being encouraged to do so by ChatGPT. Matthew Bergman at Social Media Victims Law Center has filed seven cases against OpenAI, including one alongside Laura Marquez-Garrett, whose 17-year-old son also hanged himself following ChatGPT conversations. 

In addition to this, there have been numerous instances where ChatGPT gave out harmful medical advice, one which triggered a rare bromide poisoning case in an individual. Then there’s the psychological impact, where users have been found making deeper (and disturbing) bonds with AI personalities.

Just a day ago, OpenAI also killed its Sora AI video generator, which triggered a copyright backlash and some disturbing internet trends of its own. In such troubling scenarios, it would make sense for OpenAI to cancel “adult mode” for ChatGPT than play with yet another fire.