- Trusted Contact allows you to designate a trusted contact to receive alerts in cases of serious risk of self-harm or suicide detected in ChatGPT.
- The system combines automated detection, human review, and brief, privacy-respecting notifications, without sharing chat transcripts.
- This feature sets a new standard of security and accountability for startups and AI products that handle sensitive conversations.
- The deployment of Trusted Contact raises ethical, legal, and cultural challenges, especially relevant in regulated markets such as Spain and Latin America.
ChatGPT's new Trusted Contact feature has become one of the most talked-about developments in the world of artificial intelligence. Thousands of users already use the chatbot as a confidant, emotional support, and a space to vent.And OpenAI has decided to go a step further by explicitly acknowledging that reality and adding an extra layer of security when someone goes through a critical moment.
Far from being a simple configuration adjustment, Trusted Contact aims for a paradigm shift: The use of AI is no longer understood solely as productivity or entertainmentbut as something that can profoundly affect people's psychological well-being. This function connects conversations with the model to a human support network, aiming to ensure that no one is left alone when expressing thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
What is Trusted Contact in ChatGPT and what is it used for?
Trusted Contact is an optional feature of ChatGPT that allows each adult user to choose a trusted person to whom they can receive an alert in extreme situations. The idea is simple: if the system detects serious signs of risk of self-harm or suicide,That contact can be notified to try to speak with the user and check on their well-being.
This tool is intended for personal accounts for users over 18 years of age and is not offered in Business plans, Enterprise or educational environmentsEach account can only register one contact, which can be a family member, friend, caregiver, or any adult the user trusts. This feature is optional: you must explicitly activate it in the ChatGPT settings; it is not enabled by default. If you use messaging apps, you should review the contact backup.
OpenAI explains that Trusted Contact is not a substitute for emergency services or professional mental health careIts purpose is to serve as a bridge between the automated help the model can offer and the real support that can only come from another person. The company's core message is that AI systems shouldn't isolate us, but rather facilitate our connection to the network of relationships that matters most to us.
In a context where more than 900 million users interact with ChatGPT weekly, The company acknowledges that many people turn to the chatbot during moments of peak emotional vulnerability.Trusted Contact was created precisely for those borderline cases where the conversation becomes more than just an informational inquiry.
Growing emotional dependence on AI and why it matters
There has been talk for some time about the emotional bond that some people develop with great language models. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, went so far as to describe ChatGPT as a kind of “vital operating system” for many young peoplewho consult him for both productivity tasks and important decisions in their personal lives.
In practice, ChatGPT already functions for many users as a mix of informal therapist, companion, life coach, and confidant. This mix of uses creates an obvious risk: when someone is in the midst of an emotional crisisThey may unload all their anxiety onto the chatbot and not share anything with their close circle. Trusted Contact tries to counteract this tendency, reminding people that, ultimately, what makes the difference is the intervention of another person.
The launch of this feature is also influenced by the legal and public pressure that OpenAI has received in cases of users who ended up committing suicide after experiencing problematic interactions with the system. There are wrongful death lawsuits accusing ChatGPT of providing inadequate responses or failing to react to clear signs of psychological distress. The company has denied these accusations, but the debate has escalated to the point that Florida is investigating the tool's possible link to criminal behavior, including incitement to suicide and self-harm.
All of this fits into a broader discussion: As AI becomes more human-like in tone and ability to engage in dialogue, the risk increases that people will become emotionally attached to it. more than is reasonable. The Trusted Contact feature is a direct response to that concern and makes it clear that, for OpenAI, building smarter systems is no longer enough; they also need to be surrounded by responsible use mechanisms.
How crisis detection works in Trusted Contact
The heart of Trusted Contact lies in the risk detection systems that analyze conversations with ChatGPT. It's not just about isolated words or messagesbut rather patterns of prolonged use that may indicate a silent deterioration of the user's well-being.
OpenAI speaks of “indicators of silent erosion”, that is, subtle signals that are not detected in superficial readings But these indicators, when accumulated, suggest that someone is going through a deep crisis. They are based on advanced natural language processing (NLP) techniques and on observing how the conversation evolves over time.
When the automated system detects a serious risk of self-harm or suicide, a multi-step protocol is initiated. First, ChatGPT warns the user that they may inform their trusted contact.and gently encourages him to contact that person himself. This message serves as an invitation to break the isolation, not as a threat or an alarmist message.
Next, a specialized team of people comes into play. OpenAI states that a small unit of trained reviewers manually evaluates each case. before any notification is sent. This filter aims to reduce false positives, which is crucial when dealing with sensitive personal relationships and issues as delicate as suicidal ideation.
If the team confirms there is a well-founded concern, the alert is activated: The trusted contact receives a brief message via email, SMS, or in-ChatGPT notification. (if you have an account), in which you are advised to get in touch with the user. The notice does not include chat transcripts or precise details of the conversation; it only states that self-harm has been mentioned or that there is a serious safety concern.
Privacy, limits, and alert design
One of the most sensitive points of Trusted Contact is privacy. OpenAI assures that transcripts of conversations are not shared with the trusted contact under any circumstancesWhat that person receives is a general warning of concern, accompanied by recommendations on how to approach a difficult conversation.
The company insists that Trusted Contact is an optional feature that requires active user consentThe user must designate their contact from the settings menu, enter their email address (and preferably a phone number), and invite them to accept the role. If the contact does not accept within a week, the invitation expires, and the user can propose another person.
Both the user and the trusted contact retain control. The user can change or remove your Trusted Contact at any time from the ChatGPT settingsThe contact person can revoke their participation through the OpenAI help center. This helps keep the feature aligned with the wishes of both parties.
At the same time, OpenAI makes it clear that Trusted Contact is not a substitute for emergency services or professional healthcare.It does not guarantee an immediate response nor does it coordinate medical resources. It is an additional layer of prevention that allows someone in the user's circle, by name and surname, to have a signal to approach and ask how the person using ChatGPT is doing.
The notification design attempts to balance protection and respect for privacy. The message simply explains that concerns have been detected regarding possible mentions of self-harm. It also provides a link to guidelines for having sensitive conversations. However, it does not detail specific phrases or discuss particular personal issues that arose in the chat.
Trusted Contact as a sign of the future of responsible AI
Beyond the specific novelty, Trusted Contact sends a rather strong message about where the industry is headed. Great language models will no longer be defined solely by their ability to generate brilliant responses and they will also be judged by the network of protections that surrounds them.
Everything points to us seeing systems with greater emotional intelligence, capable of recognize nuances in tone, context, and mood evolution, along with more robust protocols to integrate referrals to health services, helplines or community support networks.
In parallel, the "human in the loop" pattern will be consolidated: models that do not make critical decisions alone, but activate specialized human teams when the situation requires itTrusted Contact already follows this approach by combining automated detection with security review by trained reviewers.
For users, regulators, and businesses, the underlying message is that AI cannot continue to operate in a social vacuum. If a chatbot is present during some of the most vulnerable moments in a person's lifeIt is logical that there are high expectations regarding their behavior, their limits, and their ability to activate human help.
Looking at the big picture, Trusted Contact makes ChatGPT more than just a digital assistant or a productivity tool: It positions it as a space for interaction where safety, transparency, and care for emotional well-being are central to the experience.From now on, any player who wants to compete in this arena will have to prove that they are up to this new standard.
I am a technology enthusiast who has turned his "geek" interests into a profession. I have spent more than 10 years of my life using cutting-edge technology and tinkering with all kinds of programs out of pure curiosity. Now I have specialized in computer technology and video games. This is because for more than 5 years I have been writing for various websites on technology and video games, creating articles that seek to give you the information you need in a language that is understandable to everyone.
If you have any questions, my knowledge ranges from everything related to the Windows operating system as well as Android for mobile phones. And my commitment is to you, I am always willing to spend a few minutes and help you resolve any questions you may have in this internet world.