San Francisco, 24 October 2025 – In a striking shift, the rapidly evolving artificial-intelligence sector is preparing to more openly embrace the adult-content market, and while OpenAI’s ChatGPT may soon join the fray, it will not be the first to attempt monetising erotica or companion-style experiences.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently announced that the platform will roll out an age-verification framework by December 2025, allowing “erotica for verified adults” as part of its “treat-adult-users-like-adults” initiative. The move comes at a time when AI-powered chatbots and companion apps, many of which already permit romantic or sexual interactions, are drawing strong user engagement and revenue. Analysts estimate that AI companion-apps generated tens of millions of dollars in early 2025.
Historically, adults have driven a large share of attention in generative-AI tools, especially when it comes to sexualised content. OpenAI’s pivot reflects a broader trend: developers seeking new monetisation models beyond traditional subscriptions and enterprise licensing. “They’re not really earning much through subscriptions, so having erotic content will bring them quick money,” said Oxford-based researcher Zilan Qian.
Yet the shift into adult territory is not without its minefields. Companies that ventured early into sexually explicit AI content have already faced lawsuits, regulatory scrutiny and public-relations backlash, particularly where minors, consent or mental-health issues were involved. For example, one case against a chatbot accused of encouraging self-harm in a minor illustrates the risk.
From an Asia-perspective, this dynamic raises distinct implications. Southeast Asian users already engage heavily with mobile and conversational apps, and regulatory frameworks in the region are still catching up. AI firms looking to scale in Asia may find the adult-content avenue both a revenue driver and a regulatory headache. Local cultures, data-privacy norms and age-verification systems will matter as much as the underlying algorithms.
In sum, the adult-market pivot signals a new frontier for generative AI: one where pleasure, companionship and entertainment converge with monetisation. Whether ChatGPT and its peers can balance innovation, safety and public trust remains the key question ahead.
