OpenAI is said to have ended its internal “Code Red” period, nearly four months after the company’s CEO announced it in December 2025. At the same time, the company has once again delayed the introduction of ChatGPT Adult Mode, which was previously expected to come out in the first quarter of 2026.
The delay reportedly comes as OpenAI prioritizes other developments related to AI intelligence, personalization and improvements to the ChatGPT experience.
Code Red is said to end after the release of GPT-5.4
According to a report by reporter Alex Heath at Substack, OpenAI has lifted the company-wide Code Red that was in effect since December 2025. The restriction is said to have ended after the release of the GPT-5.4 AI model earlier this week.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman originally announced Code Red, and reportedly put most non-ChatGPT projects on hold so the company could focus heavily on improving and expanding its flagship AI chatbot.
During this period, OpenAI released many new AI models and features, strengthening ChatGPT’s capabilities.
Last month, Fidji Simo, CEO of Applications at OpenAI, mentioned in a podcast that Code Red would end after the release of a new model. She also clarified that the initiative mainly affected ChatGPT and product research teams, while teams working on long-term AI research continued their work as usual.
With Code Red said to have been scrapped, OpenAI can now expand its focus to other experimental products, services and projects.
Reports also suggest that the Sora app could get new features once development resumes on multiple initiatives.
ChatGPT adult mode was delayed again
At the same time, OpenAI is reportedly delaying ChatGPT’s adult mode for a second time.
An OpenAI spokesperson told Heath that the feature is being put on hold while the company focuses on higher-priority improvements, including:
- Intelligence upgrades
- Personality enhancements
- Customization features
- Making ChatGPT more proactive in helping users
The spokesperson reportedly said, “We still believe in the principle of treating adults as adults, but to get the right experience will take more time.”
Adult Mode Feature Timeline
The Adult Mode feature was first announced in October 2025. Since then, its release timeline has been moved several times:
- October 2025: Announced feature
- December 2025: Initial delay announced
- Q1 2026: The new expected boot window
- Now: It was delayed again with no confirmed release date
OpenAI has not revealed when the feature will finally become available.
With the Code Red period reportedly over, OpenAI is expected to resume work on a wider range of projects, including potential AI-powered social experiences and expanded product features.
However, the timeline for ChatGPT’s adult mode remains uncertain as the company continues to focus on improving its core AI systems and user experience.
