OpenAI commits $5M to study AI’s effects on teens

OpenAI on Tuesday announced a $5 million grant program to support independent research into how generative AI affects the lives of teenagers, as the company seeks to better understand the consequences of a technology that has rapidly woven itself into the daily routines of young people.

Grant Details and Scope

The program will fund research focused on young people ages 13 to 17, with individual grants of up to $1 million available to researchers examining developmental outcomes, emotional well-being, social relationships, and safety considerations tied to teen AI use. Applications are open through October 6, 2026, with selected proposals to be notified by November 13.jurelist+1

OpenAI said it is looking for a range of research approaches — qualitative, quantitative, experimental, and observational — and will accept applications from any country, with priority given to nations with high AI adoption rates. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 and affiliated with a research institution or possess relevant experience in fields such as child development or human-computer interaction. Funded projects will be required to submit an interim progress report in early 2027 and a final report upon completion.openai+1

The company acknowledged that the effects of generative AI on teens are "likely to vary according to teens' purposes and patterns of use, their individual circumstances, and the support available from families, schools, communities, and technology providers".jurelist

A Response to Rapid Teen Adoption

The grant program arrives roughly three weeks after OpenAI launched ChatGPT for Teens in mid-August, a dedicated experience featuring stronger safety protections, parental controls, and educational tools designed to steer young users toward learning rather than simply receiving answers. That product introduced features such as Study Mode, homework reminders that detect shortcut attempts, break reminders, and restrictions on romantic or emotionally dependent language from the chatbot.axios+3

A Pew Research Center survey has found that 54% of U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 have used chatbots for schoolwork, while smaller but notable shares have turned to them for casual conversation or emotional support. Those patterns have fueled concern among educators, parents, and researchers about the effects of AI on cognitive development, critical thinking, and young people's reliance on machines for guidance that has traditionally come from human relationships.businessupturn

Looking Ahead

OpenAI said findings from the funded research could inform both future product design and policy decisions around youth AI use. The company has previously supported related work through the OpenAI Foundation and the Child Mind Institute, which is examining young people's mental health during AI interactions using clinical assessments and de-identified chat data. For researchers interested in applying, questions can be directed to [email protected].businessupturn+2