OpenAI has halted another project temporarily. On Thursday, the Financial Times reported that the AI company would indefinitely pause plans for an “erotic” mode for ChatGPT.
The proposed “adult mode,” initially suggested by CEO Sam Altman in October, faced significant controversy from tech watchdog groups and OpenAI’s own staff. In January, a meeting between company executives and its advisory council became heated, with one adviser warning that OpenAI might be developing a “sexy suicide coach,” as The Wall Street Journal previously reported.
The release of this feature was delayed several times amid criticism. FT notes that the erotic feature now has no release timeline. When contacted by TechCrunch, an OpenAI spokesperson said there was “nothing further to add.”
Adult mode is just the latest project OpenAI has abandoned recently. On Tuesday, the company quietly announced it would deprioritize Instant Checkout, a feature to make ChatGPT a purchase portal for e-commerce. Then, on Wednesday, it surprisingly announced the shutdown of Sora, its AI video generator, criticized for the spread of AI “slop” since its 2024 launch.
These changes follow a Wall Street Journal report of a “major strategy shift” as OpenAI refocuses on its primary targets: business users and coders.
OpenAI’s shift may be due to pressure from Anthropic, which has successfully released coding and business tools recently, gaining customer traction.
The two companies have been feuding over Pentagon contracts—an area OpenAI seems to have won. OpenAI recently announced a $200 million agreement with the Department of Defense, while Anthropic is embroiled in a legal battle with the agency.
In summary, recent events suggest that the future of AI might focus more on business and defense rather than entertainment and social media.