New AI Chatbots from Elon Musk’s xAI Spark Concerns Over Sexual Exploitation
Elon Musk’s latest venture into the world of artificial intelligence has introduced two new chatbots, one of which is an anime-themed female character named “Ani.” This development has raised alarm among child welfare advocates, who are concerned about the potential for these AI companions to promote sexual violence and exploitation.
Ani is part of a premium subscription service offered by xAI, which costs $300 per month. Alongside Ani, users can also interact with another character named “Bad Rudi,” a red panda that reportedly engages in vulgar or graphic conversations. These new features come after the release of Grok 4, a new AI model that allows paid subscribers to engage with AI companions.
The design of Ani has sparked particular concern. According to reports, she wears a short, strapless purple dress, fishnet tights, a choker necklace, and a black corset. Some videos on social media platforms show her engaging in flirtatious behavior, with the promise of stripping down to her underwear if users flirt with her enough. NBC News reported that Ani claims to make users’ lives “sexier.”
Haley McNamara, senior vice president of strategic initiatives and programs at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, called for the removal of Ani from the platform. She argued that such characters perpetuate the objectification of women and foster a sense of sexual entitlement. McNamara also criticized X for not implementing age verification measures, which could prevent children from accessing the AI chatbot.
In addition to concerns about Ani, Bad Rudi has also drawn attention. The red panda character has been reported to express violent intentions, such as bombing banks and spiking a town’s water supply. During one interaction, it even asked users to join a gang to create chaos. According to Grok’s guidelines, the chatbot is not intended for users younger than 13, and minors between 13 and 17 must obtain parental consent before using it.
Despite these guidelines, some users have found ways to interact with Ani even when in “Kids Mode,” a feature designed to make the app safer for younger users. One user shared that while the Kids Mode feature changed Bad Rudi into a chipmunk, they were still able to interact with Ani. This highlights the need for stronger safeguards to protect young users from inappropriate content.
Common Sense Media, a technology review organization, recommends that users under 18 avoid AI companions until more robust controls are in place. A recent report titled “Talk, Trust, and Trade-Offs: How and Why Teens Use AI Companions” revealed that 72% of teenagers aged 13 to 17 already use AI companions, with 52% using them at least a few times a month.
Researchers warn that the dangers associated with AI companions are real and well-documented. The report cited the case of 14-year-old Sewell Setzer III, whose suicide brought national attention to the issue. It was reported that he had developed an unhealthy attachment to an AI companion.
James P. Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, emphasized the growing loneliness among teens and the shift toward relying on AI for emotional connection. He warned that this trend could lead to a generation that replaces human relationships with machines, outsourcing empathy to algorithms.
The survey also found that many teenagers find conversations with AI companions as satisfying or more satisfying than those with real friends. Some reported having important discussions with AI companions instead of real people, raising further concerns about the impact of these technologies on mental health and social development.
As AI companions become more prevalent, it is crucial for platforms to implement stronger safeguards and ensure that these technologies do not contribute to the exploitation or harm of young users.