Trending Now - Openai Halts Development of Chatgpt's Adult Features

WHO:

OpenAI, CEO Sam Altman, Financial Times, rival xAI

CEO Sam Altman stated that OpenAI had always been careful about issues surrounding unhealthy AI attachments.

OpenAI, CEO Sam Altman, employees, investors, Financial Times, rival xAI

WHAT:

OpenAI has surpassed $100 million in annualized revenue from its ChatGPT ads business.

OpenAI has expanded to over 600 advertisers and plans to launch self-serve advertiser access in April 2026.

OpenAI has shelved plans for an erotic chatbot, initially announced for release in December 2025, due to ongoing concerns from employees and investors.

The adult-oriented chatbot, referred to as "Citron mode," is now indefinitely on hold with no planned release date.

OpenAI's age-checking technology has an error rate higher than ten percent, which could allow a significant number of young people access to the technology.

The adult-oriented chatbot, reportedly called "Citron mode," is now on hold with no planned release date.

OpenAI's age-checking technology has an error rate higher than ten percent, which could allow a significant number of young people access to the technology.

OpenAI has "indefinitely" abandoned plans to release an erotic chatbot called "Citron mode."

The adult chatbot was initially announced in October 2025 for release in December 2025.

OpenAI also announced the shutdown of its Sora video generator on Tuesday prior to the decision on the chatbot.

OpenAI's age-checking technology has an error rate higher than ten percent.

WHERE:

The information was reported by the Financial Times.

WHEN:

The adult chatbot was first announced in October 2025.

The planned release date for the chatbot was December 2025.

The decision to shelve the chatbot occurred in March 2026.

WHY:

Concerns were raised among investors due to controversies surrounding rival xAI's Grok model, which generated deepfake nudes of real people and children.

A senior employee left OpenAI over concerns regarding the adult chatbot, stating, "AI shouldn’t replace your friends or your family; you should have human connections."

Concerns were heightened among investors due to controversies surrounding rival xAI's Grok model, which generated deepfake nudes of real people and children.

A senior employee left OpenAI over concerns regarding the adult chatbot, stating, "AI shouldn’t replace your friends or your family; you should have human connections."

Concerns from employees and investors regarding sexual AI content led to the decision to halt the chatbot's development.

OpenAI aims to conduct long-term research on the effects of erotic chats and user attachment to AI, citing a lack of "empirical evidence."

Concerns were heightened due to controversies surrounding rival xAI's Grok model, which generated deepfake nudes.

HOW:

The revenue milestone was achieved six weeks after the pilot for ChatGPT ads was announced, according to a spokesperson.

OpenAI aims to conduct long-term research on the effects of erotic chats and user attachment to AI, citing a lack of "empirical evidence" on the subject.

OpenAI is refocusing on its core productivity tools, such as coding assistants, and dropping "side quests" like the erotic chatbot and Sora.

The company faced challenges in training models to avoid erotic content and in removing illegal behaviors like bestiality and incest.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 23:08 UTC)

OpenAI has surpassed $100 million in annualized revenue from its ChatGPT ads business, achieving this milestone just six weeks after announcing the pilot for the ads. The company has also expanded its reach to over 600 advertisers and plans to launch self-serve advertiser access in April 2026. This rapid growth highlights the increasing interest in advertising through ChatGPT.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 19:22 UTC)

OpenAI has decided to indefinitely shelve its plans for an erotic chatbot, initially set for release in December 2025, due to ongoing concerns from both employees and investors. This decision comes in light of worries raised by investors regarding rival xAI's Grok model, which controversially generated deepfake nudes, and a senior employee's departure over ethical concerns about the adult-oriented technology. OpenAI plans to focus on long-term research to better understand the effects of erotic chats and user attachment to AI, as they acknowledge a lack of empirical evidence on the topic.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 15:23 UTC)

OpenAI has put its adult-oriented chatbot, known as "Citron mode," on hold with no planned release date, as CEO Sam Altman emphasized the company's commitment to addressing issues surrounding unhealthy AI attachments. The decision comes amid rising concerns from investors, particularly following controversies involving rival xAI's Grok model, which produced deepfake nudes of real people and children, and after a senior employee departed over worries that AI should not replace human connections. OpenAI is now focusing on long-term research to better understand the effects of erotic chats and user attachment to AI, acknowledging a significant gap in empirical evidence on the topic.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 13:23 UTC)

OpenAI has decided to indefinitely abandon its plans for an erotic chatbot called "Citron mode," which was initially announced in October 2025 and set for release in December 2025. This decision comes after concerns from employees and investors about sexual AI content, as well as challenges in training models to avoid inappropriate material. Additionally, OpenAI has shut down its Sora video generator and is refocusing on its core productivity tools, emphasizing the need for long-term research on the effects of erotic chats and user attachment to AI.