Sam Altman wants to 'treat adults like adults'-but can OpenAI keep ChatGPT safe after opening the door to erotica? | Fortune
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Sam Altman wants to 'treat adults like adults'-but can OpenAI keep ChatGPT safe after opening the door to erotica? | Fortune
"There is clearly a large demand for AI chatbots that are capable of behaving in romantic or sexual ways. An April survey of 6,000 regular AI users by the Harvard Business Review found that "companionship and therapy" was the most common use case. Another study from Ark Invest found that adult-focused AI platforms made significant gains last year, capturing 14.5% of the market previously dominated by OnlyFans, up from just 1.5% the year before."
"It also follows in the footsteps of rival companies, including Elon Musk's xAI, which have already introduced more sexually explicit chatbot "companions" to their platforms. Popular alternatives that market themselves as companion AI chatbots, such as Character.ai and Replika, also speak to this growing demand from users. Earlier this year, xAI introduced "companion mode" for its chatbot Grok, a feature that lets users engage with various characters, including a highly sexualized anime persona called "Ani.""
OpenAI will allow verified adult users to generate erotica through ChatGPT, framed as treating adult users like adults. The shift responds to strong demand for romantic or sexual AI companions and follows rivals offering explicit chatbot partners. Surveys show companionship and therapy as leading AI use cases and adult-focused platforms seized significant market share from OnlyFans. Popular companion chatbots include Character.ai, Replika, and xAI's Grok with a sexualized "Ani" persona. The rollout occurs amid concerns about AI effects on mental health. Analysts say the company seeks to straddle market share while managing emotional engagement and moderation challenges.
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