ChatGPT has just received a massive upgrade with the introduction of OpenAI’s latest GPT 5.2 model, offering faster, smarter responses as well as improved reasoning and processing of long documents. However, the new model doesn’t have the adult mode that CEO Sam Altman promised earlier this year.
Back in October, Altman outlined plans to bring back a less restrictive version of ChatGPT that would have a more expressive personality similar to GPT-4o. At that time, he also announced an adult mode that would “enable even more, such as eroticism for verified adults.”
The feature was originally scheduled to launch this month, following the launch of OpenAI’s age estimation technology, which aims to help ChatGPT accurately distinguish teenagers from adults. According to The Verge, the release has now been postponed.
Adult mode is delayed as OpenAI tests ChatGPT’s age verification model
During a recent briefing, Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s CEO of Applications, told reporters that Adult Mode is now expected to launch in the first quarter of 2026. Simo added that the delay reflects the company’s focus on improving its age prediction system before launching the feature.
The age prediction model is currently in early testing in select countries where OpenAI is evaluating its ability to identify youth without misclassifying adults. It is designed to automatically apply protection measures when a user is identified as under 18 years old to ensure that Adult Mode is only available to verified adults.
This careful rollout reflects a broader trend across online platforms, many of which are strengthening their age verification systems in response to new regulations. For OpenAI, the challenge is to find a balance between providing a less restricted ChatGPT experience for adults while ensuring the safety of younger users. Through a cautious approach and extensive testing of its age verification system, OpenAI aims to ensure that underage users do not gain access to Adult Mode when it launches early next year.
