ChatGPT’s ‘Trusted Contact’ will alert loved ones of safety concerns

OpenAI is launching a 'Trusted Contact' safety feature that allows adult ChatGPT users to designate emergency contacts who will be notified if the AI detects discussions of self-harm or suicide, establishing a new precedent for AI platforms' responsibility in mental health crisis detection and intervention. This feature creates both regulatory and liability implications for IT organizations deploying AI tools, requiring clear data governance policies, privacy safeguards, and incident response protocols around sensitive mental health notifications. Organizations must evaluate how similar safety features in enterprise AI applications align with their duty-of-care obligations and establish frameworks for managing alerts while maintaining user privacy.

Jess WeatherbedThe VergeMay 7, 20262 min read

OpenAI is launching an optional safety feature for ChatGPT that allows adult users to assign an emergency contact for mental health and safety concerns. Friends, family members, or caregivers designated as a "Trusted Contact" will be notified if OpenAI detects that a person may have discussed topics like self-harm or suicide with the chatbot. "Trusted Contact is designed around a simple, expert-validated premise: when someone may be in crisis, connecting with someone they know and trust can make a meaningful difference," OpenAI said in its announcement. "It offers another layer of support alongside the localized helplines already available … Read the full story at The Verge.