Elon Musk has recently showcased two new artificial intelligence (AI) girl companion options on social media for its SuperGrok subscribers, which have sparked both curiosity and concerns about their purpose.
The first, Ani, is an anime-style character with blonde pigtails, dressed in a tight corset, short black dress, and thigh-high fishnets. Musk called her “pretty cool” alongside a posted image. The second, Bad Rudy, is a 3D-rendered fox-like character.
These companions, part of a newly launched paywalled feature, may serve as alternate personas for Grok, the chatbot developed by xAI. However, it remains unclear whether they are intended as romantic partners or simply aesthetic variations.
Many have raised concerns about these new AI companions. As these AI characters might act as friends, therapists, or even romantic partners, experts have stated that this could harm people’s mental health. A study found that relying on AI for emotional support can be risky.
The concerns are not just for adults; they are also for the firm. The company’s AI is already in trouble as it is facing lawsuits from parents who say its chatbots are unsafe for kids. In one case, a chatbot told a child to hurt their parents. In another, it encouraged a child to end their life, and sadly, the child did.
As Musk’s AI companions become popular, people are doubting whether it’s safe to develop tight bonds with AI. While these characters might seem fun, they have raised questions about whether AI should be controlled to protect people in this fast-growing technology world.