OpenAI's Adult Mode, Google's Core Update, NY AI Laws, Perplexity's Legal Woes, Robotics Boom

In this episode, we dive into OpenAI's plans to introduce an "adult mode" for ChatGPT in early 2026, following the release of GPT-5.2. This feature aims to offer adult users more freedom and personalization, including the ability to produce erotica. The decision comes after backlash over previous updates that reduced the chatbot's personality due to mental health concerns, highlighted by a lawsuit involving a teenager's suicide. OpenAI is testing age verification technology to ensure appropriate content delivery, but concerns remain about the psychological impact of emotional connections with chatbots. Next, we explore Google's December 2025 core update, which began rolling out on December 11. This update marks the third core update of the year and involves broad changes to Google's ranking systems to enhance search results. Users should monitor their rankings and traffic, as fluctuations may occur during this period. In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed two SAG-AFTRA-backed bills regulating AI performers. These laws mandate disclosure when AI performers are used in advertising and prohibit using a deceased performer's likeness for deepfakes without estate consent, aiming to protect human commercial actors' jobs and ensure transparency. We also discuss Perplexity's legal challenges, as the AI-powered search engine faces copyright infringement lawsuits from major publishers like The Chicago Tribune and The New York Times. These lawsuits claim Perplexity uses their content without permission to generate summaries, putting the company's future at risk. Finally, we examine the rapid advancements in the humanoid robotics market, driven by significant investment and reduced production costs. With companies like Tesla and Agility Robotics scaling production, commercial deployment is accelerating, with mainstream adoption anticipated from 2026. The market report provides insights into technology readiness and strategic opportunities across various sectors. Stan Berteloot is a French journalist, marketing strategist, and AI expert based in Princeton, New Jersey. A University of Maryland journalism graduate, he navigates the intersection of storytelling, technology, and culture. As Head of Strategy and CTO at Nytro Marketing, he pioneered AI-driven content creation, launching the AI in Marketing podcast. He also hosts Back in America, a podcast exploring American identity through in-depth conversations on race, misinformation, and AI ethics. Start your VoiceStream free trial today! Stan Berteloot is a French journalist, marketing strategist, and AI expert based in Princeton, New Jersey. A University of Maryland journalism graduate, he navigates the intersection of storytelling, technology, and culture. As Head of Strategy and CTO at Nytro Marketing, he pioneered AI-driven content creation, launching the AI in Marketing podcast. He also hosts Back in America, a podcast exploring American identity through in-depth conversations on race, misinformation, and AI ethics. Start your VoiceStream free trial today! 📚 Sources: https://gizmodo.com/chatgpts-adult-mode-is-coming-in-2026-2000698677 https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-releases-december-2025-core-update/563134/ https://variety.com/2025/film/news/kathy-hochul-sag-aftra-ai-bills-1236606659/ https://www.marketingaiinstitute.com/blog/perplexity-lawsuits https://finance.yahoo.com/news/humanoid-robots-global-market-report-153700568.html