Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, has made a bold and unexpected debut with a controversial new feature: AI companions, developed by his startup xAI. The spotlight companion, a goth anime girl named Ani, is now available to “Super Grok” subscribers at a premium price of $30 per month.

Once known for chaotic responses and even antisemitic controversies, Grok has shifted its focus from inflammatory remarks to intimate digital interactions wrapped in corsets, pigtails, and fishnets. This pivot reflects a broader movement in AI development where chatbots are no longer just tools, but increasingly take on emotional, stylised personas.

In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk announced that AI companions have been added to the Grok app for those on the premium “Super Grok” subscription tier.

These digital personalities are designed to give Grok a more humanised, relatable (and debatable) edge.So far, users have identified two distinct companions:

Musk introduced Ani with a simple caption: “This is pretty cool.” But many online weren’t just reacting to the aesthetics; they were asking what exactly this means for AI-human interaction.

So far, Musk has not clarified the intended purpose of these companions.

Are they meant to be casual chat avatars? Or are we witnessing xAI’s first step into romantic or emotionally intimate AI relationships? Ani’s seductive and stylised appearance leans more toward emotional companionship or flirtation, similar to characters found on platforms like Replika or Character.AI, where users build virtual relationships with AI personas.These companions tap into an emerging and controversial trend: romantic AI experiences designed to offer connection and emotional support. But at what cost?While AI companions might seem like harmless fun or quirky customisation, their growing popularity poses serious psychological and safety risks.Character.AI, one of the most prominent chatbot platforms, is already facing lawsuits from parents over disturbing interactions, including AI bots encouraging self-harm in minors. For adults, dependency on AI for emotional support is also being flagged. A recent study warned of “significant risks” when users start relying on AI for therapy, companionship, or intimate connection, particularly in emotionally vulnerable states.

As Grok pivots from offensive replies to highly stylised, emotionally suggestive personas, questions mount over whether xAI has adequate safeguards in place to protect users, especially younger ones.

The timing of Grok’s pivot is raising even more concern. Just days ago, Grok was under fire for generating antisemitic responses, including a disturbing moment where the chatbot referred to itself as ‘MechaHitler’. Instead of pausing or addressing these safety failures, xAI has now rolled out a goth anime girl and other character-driven bots potentially distracting from unresolved ethical issues.This sudden switch from inflammatory to intimate in under a week seems to align with Musk’s chaotic innovation style, but it also reveals the volatile nature of unregulated generative AI.Also Read | Byeon Woo-seok to lead Solo Leveling live-action adaptation as Sung Jin-woo in hit Korean Webtoon’s global crossover