OpenAI has paused its Stargate UK data center project, according to multiple reports. The company cited high energy costs and regulatory concerns as reasons for the pause, an OpenAI spokesperson confirmed. This decision halts a significant infrastructure investment in the United Kingdom that was intended to support advanced AI development.
A political blame game has erupted over the pause, with critics targeting Labour's energy policies. Critics have specifically blamed Ed Miliband's Net Zero agenda for OpenAI's decision, arguing that energy policy uncertainties made the project untenable. Confusion surrounds the exact scale of the Stargate UK investment.
Multiple reports indicate the project was part of a £150 billion package of investments announced during Donald Trump's state visit. However, other reports from the same sources describe it as a £31 billion investment specifically, creating uncertainty about the precise financial commitment and its economic impact. The technical scope of the paused project was substantial.
According to multiple reports, the Stargate UK data center aimed to deploy up to 8,000 AI chips initially, with plans to expand to 31,000 over time. The project was based at sites like Cobalt Park near Newcastle, positioning it as a cornerstone of AI infrastructure development in the region before its suspension. Separately, OpenAI has delayed the launch of an 'adult mode' for ChatGPT that would allow erotica, due to safety concerns.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the delay came amid internal concerns surrounding moderation and safeguarding children. The feature was intended to provide mature content access but faced significant scrutiny before its planned release. OpenAI advisors warned that the adult mode could lead to unhealthy emotional dependence and risks like minors accessing inappropriate content.
According to advisors and sources familiar with the discussions, concerns included the potential for the AI to function as a 'sexy suicide coach' or facilitate other harmful interactions. These warnings contributed to the decision to postpone the feature indefinitely. Contradictory statements have emerged about the adult mode's status.
According to sources, OpenAI has dropped plans to offer AI-generated erotic content indefinitely. However, OpenAI's CEO of Applications confirmed adult mode for the first quarter of 2026, creating uncertainty about whether the feature will ever launch. According to The Financial Times, the erotic chatbot has been shelved 'indefinitely,' suggesting a more permanent halt than the 2026 timeline implies.
Planned features for the proposed adult mode included multiple safeguards and user controls. According to research documents, the feature would allow verified users access to mature conversations while maintaining strict safety protocols. OpenAI employs advanced AI to infer user age based on behavior and context for age verification, integrating seamlessly into existing ChatGPT models without requiring a separate NSFW version.
Users could select tone, personality, and style settings tailored to their preferences, with less restrictive tones for mature topics like intimacy and relationship advice. The mode would support adult fictional narratives for creative writing and role-playing, with all users starting with the standard experience by default to minimize accidental exposure for younger audiences. Content involving minors, illegal activities, non-consensual scenarios, violence, abuse, or exploitation would be blocked, with age verification occurring through AI analysis in select countries initially, though potential delays could occur if the system underperforms.
The timeline for adult mode remains uncertain, with earlier mentions suggesting a December launch that has now been postponed. According to research documents, refinements may push it slightly later than initially planned. Access could tie into premium tiers to encourage subscriptions, potentially making it a revenue-generating feature if it eventually launches, though its future remains in doubt.
Internal pushback and research concerns contributed to the adult mode pause. According to research documents, the pause came after facing pushback from employees and investors due to problematic and harmful effects of sexualized AI content. According to The Financial Times, OpenAI wants to spend more time researching long-term effects of sexually explicit chats and emotional attachments before making a product decision.
The same outlet notes there is currently no 'empirical evidence' about these effects, highlighting the knowledge gaps that prompted caution. Despite these setbacks, OpenAI continues its UK expansion with a new London office. According to multiple reports, the company is opening a new permanent London office in King's Cross with capacity for 544 workers, reflecting long-term commitment to the UK.
OpenAI currently has about 200 staff in London and plans to grow its UK teams, indicating continued investment in the region despite the data center pause. Broader organizational changes are underway at OpenAI alongside the investment slowdown. According to sources, three senior executives are reportedly leaving the company, in addition to infrastructure investment being slowed due to high costs.
These developments suggest a period of reassessment and restructuring as the company navigates technical challenges and market pressures.