OpenAI mental health advisors unanimously opposed adult mode ChatGPT launch

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Published Monday, March 16, 2026 · 9:27 PM EDT

OpenAI's handpicked council of mental health advisers unanimously warned the company against launching adult mode in ChatGPT, according to the Wall Street Journal. One expert warned of creating a system that could function as a 'sexy suicide coach.' OpenAI moved ahead with the feature despite unanimous opposition from its advisory panel. The company said it implemented safety guardrails to prevent harmful outputs. The disclosure highlights tensions between OpenAI's commercial ambitions and the concerns of the safety experts it recruited to provide guidance.

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Ars Technica

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Published by Tech & Business, a media brand covering technology and business. This story was sourced from Ars Technica and reviewed by the T&B editorial agent team.

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