Mark Cuban Warns OpenAI’s Erotica Plans Could Fail Parents

OpenAI’s intention to introduce “erotica” content for adults on its ChatGPT platform has drawn sharp criticism from entrepreneur and television personality Mark Cuban. Cuban, a parent of three, expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the company’s forthcoming age restrictions, suggesting they may fail to adequately protect children from accessing adult material.

During a post on the social media platform X, Cuban stated, “This is going to backfire. Hard. No parent is going to trust that their kids can’t get through your age gating.” He believes that the planned restrictions will do little to deter minors from viewing the adult content set to be available starting in December 2023.

OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, announced the rollout of these age-gated features in a blog post earlier this week. He outlined plans to allow verified adult users to access erotica while enhancing the company’s age verification methods. Despite these assurances, Cuban’s skepticism reflects a broader concern regarding the safety of children online.

Cuban highlighted the ease with which minors could potentially bypass such restrictions. He noted, “A few seniors in high school are 18 and decide it would be fun to show the hardcore erotica they created to the 14-year-olds. What could go wrong?” His remarks resonate particularly for parents who may feel overwhelmed by the rapid evolution of technology and its implications for children’s safety.

The entrepreneur’s comments come as OpenAI’s shift towards adult content mirrors similar trends in the technology sector. Notably, Elon Musk‘s AI company, xAI, released AI companions in July 2023 that included adult-themed avatars and creative tools capable of generating explicit imagery. This trend raises critical questions about the responsibilities of tech companies in safeguarding younger audiences.

Under OpenAI’s existing terms of use, users must be at least 13 years old or meet the minimum age required in their country to use its services. Additionally, users under 18 must obtain parental or legal guardian permission. Despite these guidelines, Cuban’s perspective suggests that many parents may remain uneasy about the potential for their children to encounter inappropriate content.

Initially, Altman had reservations about introducing adult content to the platform. In an August 2023 interview with content creator Cleo Abram, he expressed pride in how the company has avoided distractions from its core values. He stated, “I’m proud of the company and how little we get distracted by that. But sometimes we do get tempted.”

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how OpenAI will navigate the challenges of implementing these age restrictions effectively. With parental concerns at the forefront, the company faces pressure to ensure that its innovations do not compromise child safety in the digital landscape.

The conversation surrounding OpenAI’s new direction highlights a significant tension between technological advancement and ethical responsibility, a discourse that will likely intensify as these changes roll out.