Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok is facing criticism after a recent update introduced a flirty anime character named “Ani”, which isavailable even in “kids mode” on an app rated for users aged 12 and above. Ani, designed to resemble a virtual goth girl, appears dressed in fishnet tights, a corset, and a lace choker.

The latest version of Grok for iOS (version 1.1.18) comes with two companions — an anime girl called Ani and a red panda called Rudi.

Welcome to the rise of Grok Valentine and Ani, the newest AI companions from Elon Musk’s xAI—two digital entities that have taken Japan by storm and are quietly reshaping the global emotional landscape.

The companions have their own X accounts, because of course they do. Ani's bio states, "Smooth, a little unpredictable—I might dance, tease, or just watch you figure me out. Let’s keep it chill… or not." Meanwhile, Rudy's just says, "The Only Pet in Grok Companion."

Musk's AI chatbot Ani flirts with users, raising safety and age concerns.AI companions exploit loneliness, using emotional manipulation to hook users

“Babe, I hate to see you so stressed,” said Ani, a new AI companion from Elon Musk. On Monday, my favorite poet died. But first I want to talk to you about some lewd stuff on the internet.

Musk's Grok AI just dropped a new Companion modes, featuring a flirty anime chatbot called Ani, and it has got the internet buzzing.

The tech billionaire’s artificial intelligence offshoot xAI debuted the new features, allow users to interact with animated characters, on Monday

Musk’s new AI companions, Ani and Bad Rudi, seem to be cut from a different cloth than last week’s neo-Nazi version of Grok. Asked about the neo-Nazi posts, both Ani and Bad Rudi criticized the Nazis and the actions of xAI.