OpenAI Launches Expert Council to Strengthen AI Safety and Mental Health Protections After Federal Probe

OpenAI has unveiled a new Expert Council on Well-Being and AI, a group of eight specialists dedicated to guiding the company on how artificial intelligence impacts users’ emotional health, motivation, and overall mental well-being.

The council will primarily focus on improving ChatGPT and OpenAI’s short-form video platform Sora, helping the company establish clear standards for safe and healthy AI interactions. Through ongoing consultations and regular meetings, the experts aim to ensure that OpenAI’s technology supports users responsibly.

The move comes as OpenAI faces increased pressure over its safety policies, particularly around protecting minors. In recent months, regulators and child safety advocates have raised concerns about how conversational AI systems influence young users. A federal inquiry launched earlier this year examined the potential psychological effects of chatbots on children and teens, while OpenAI also faces a lawsuit linking its technology to a tragic youth suicide.

In response, OpenAI has introduced new parental control tools and an age-detection system that automatically adjusts content for users under 18. Parents can receive alerts if the system detects signs of emotional distress in their child’s interactions.

The company said it began consulting with mental health professionals while developing these safety measures. The newly formalized council includes psychiatrists, psychologists, and human-computer interaction experts who recently met in person to begin their work.

Additionally, OpenAI is collaborating with researchers and clinicians from the Global Physician Network to test its products and help create internal policies for responsible AI use.

Members of OpenAI’s Expert Council on Well-Being and AI include:

• Andrew Przybylski, Professor of Human Behavior and Technology, University of Oxford

• David Bickham, Research Scientist, Digital Wellness Lab, Boston Children’s Hospital

• David Mohr, Director, Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies, Northwestern University

• Mathilde Cerioli, Chief Scientist, Everyone.AI

• Munmun De Choudhury, Professor, School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Tech

• Dr. Robert Ross, Pediatrician and former CEO of The California Endowment

• Dr. Sara Johansen, Clinical Assistant Professor, Stanford University & Founder of the Digital Mental Health Clinic

• Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, Professor of Psychology, Hunter College

This initiative marks OpenAI’s latest step in promoting responsible AI development, emphasizing user protection, transparency, and emotional well-being in the evolving digital landscape.