Trusted contact feature
A safety feature letting users choose a contact to notify if they might need help.
The trusted contact feature lets you pick someone, like a friend or family member, to be alerted if a service thinks you might be in distress or need support. It's a way to build a safety net into AI tools.
For example, if a chatbot detects signs of severe emotional distress in your conversation, it could send a pre-written message to your trusted contact, letting them know to check in on you. This feature aims to connect users with real-world support when AI detects potential issues.
The trusted contact feature is a safety mechanism that allows users to designate one or more individuals to be notified if the AI system detects that the user may be experiencing significant distress or requires external intervention. The system typically monitors user interactions for specific indicators of harm or crisis. Upon detection, it can trigger an alert to the designated contact, often including a summary of the situation or a direct message from the user, facilitating timely human support.
OpenAI recently announced the integration of trusted contact features into ChatGPT. This move highlights the growing focus on AI safety and the need for systems to not only detect potential user harm but also to facilitate real-world intervention and support.
- An update on our mental health-related workOpenAI · OpenAI News ·
- OpenAI ChatGPT
- OpenAI has added trusted contact features to ChatGPT as part of its efforts to improve mental health support and user safety.
- Emergency contact
- This is typically a person to call in an immediate emergency,
- Guardian mode
- This feature usually involves an adult monitoring a child's onlin
- Account recovery contact
- This person helps regain access to an account, not to
The concept of trusted contacts in AI safety is an extension of similar features in consumer technology and social platforms, adapted to detect and respond to user distress within AI interactions.
While specific implementations vary, you can explore safety settings in AI tools that offer user controls. Look for options related to privacy, data sharing, or support contacts. If available, try setting up a hypothetical trusted contact to understand the workflow, even if it doesn't send real alerts without explicit user consent.
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Questions people ask
- Who can be a trusted contact?
- Typically, a trusted contact can be anyone you choose, such as a friend, family member, or therapist, who you want to be alerted if the AI detects you might need help.
- Does the AI contact my trusted person automatically?
- The feature is designed to alert your trusted contact only when the AI detects specific indicators of distress or potential harm, and usually requires user consent or a clear setup process.
First seen on Subvolts Feb 27, 2026. Updated Sep 15, 2026. Written by an AI model from the items above and reviewed against them weekly; report an error.