Facing backlash, OpenAI rolls out new safety features for ChatGPT including age prediction

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI has now announced new safety features for its popular chatbot. The company has now introduced an age prediction model designed to protect teenagers from harmful content, following mounting criticism over the platform’s impact on young users.

“We’re rolling out age prediction on ChatGPT consumer plans to help determine whether an account likely belongs to someone under 18, so the right experience and safeguards can be applied to teens. As we’ve outlined in our Teen Safety Blueprint⁠ and Under-18 Principles for Model Behavior⁠, young people deserve technology that both expands opportunity and protects their well-being,” said OpenAI in a blog post.

What’s new in ChatGPT’s age prediction

The company has revealed that the age reduction system will enable the chatbot to determine whether an account belongs to someone under 18. If so, then the chatbot will automatically add additional safeguards, such as restricting access to:* Graphic violence or gory content* Viral challenges that could encourage risky behavior* Sexual, romantic, or violent role play* Depictions of self-harm* Content promoting extreme beauty standards or unhealthy dieting

How the age prediction tool works

ChatGPT uses an age prediction model to help estimate whether an account likely belongs to someone under 18.

The model looks at a combination of behavioral and account-level signals, including how long an account has existed, typical times of day when someone is active, usage patterns over time, and a user’s stated age.The company claims that deploying age prediction helps us learn which signals improve accuracy, and we use those learnings to continuously refine the model over time.OpenAI has also said that the users who are incorrectly placed in the under-18 experience will always have a fast, simple way to confirm their age and restore their full access with a selfie through Persona, a secure identity-verification service.

Users can check if safeguards have been added to their account and start this process at any time by going to Settings > Account.In addition to these safeguards, parents can choose to customize their teen’s experience further through parental controls⁠ (opens in a new window) including setting quiet hours when ChatGPT can not be used, controlling features such as memory or model training, and receiving notifications if signs of acute distress are detected.