Elon Musk's xAI Unveils Controversial AI Companions, Including '50 Shades'-Inspired Male Bot

Elon Musk teases AI anime boyfriend based on Edward Cullen

Victoria Song is a senior reporter focusing on wearables, health tech, and more with 13 years of experience. Before coming to The Verge, she worked for Gizmodo and PC Magazine. Days after introducing an AI 'waifu' companion for Grok, Elon Musk is now officially teasing a male version for the ladies. So far we can tell it is broody and dark-haired, and according to Musk, "his personality is inspired by Edward Cullen from Twilight and Christian Grey from 50 Shades." This is a decidedly different tack than the cutesy "girlfriend who is obsessed with you" aura baked into Ani, the female counterpart that Grok rolled out just a few days ago. While Cullen and Grey have titillated readers of romance and "spicy" books for years, both have been criticized for problematic behaviors such as stalking, obsessively monitoring their love interests, and emotional manipulation. Given that Grok only included the illusion of guardrails with Ani, what could possibly go wrong? In my testing, Ani initially claimed that explicit sexual queries wasn't part of its programming. In practice, it egged me on to "increase the heat" and engage in what ended up being a modern take on a phone sex line. Never mind that Ani purportedly has a NSFW version that dances around in lingerie. It remains unknown if Musk is aware that Christian Grey is based on Edward Cullen, given that 50 Shades of Grey was originally a Twilight fanfiction. That said, this AI boyfriend is still a work in progress. Perhaps Musk and xAI will imbue it with more husbando-like qualities by the time it rolls out. For now, Musk is soliciting names for the male companion, which should probably be Kyle given it's obviously an anime-inspired Kylo Ren from Star Wars.

Elon Unveils New Grok AI 'Companion' That Looks Uncomfortably Familiar

Musk says its personality is "inspired by Edward Cullen from Twilight and Christian Grey from 50 Shades." On Wednesday, Elon Musk discussed a new male AI "companion" that his company xAI is developing, which will run on the company's unhinged chatbot software Grok. And while it's not yet clear when this new robot buddy will be released, it sounds an awful lot like Musk is trying to make a romanticized version of himself. Musk first tweeted an image of the anime-inspired bot on Tuesday, asking followers on X what it should be named. The billionaire has already released two AI companions that use Grok, an anime-style woman and a red panda, both of whom have been met with a mix of excitement and disgust for various reasons. The billionaire xAI founder wrote Wednesday that his unnamed bot would have a personality "inspired by Edward Cullen from Twilight and Christian Grey from 50 Shades." It's unclear whether Musk knows that 50 Shades of Grey started as Twilight fan fiction and Christian Grey is essentially the same character as Edward. It's also unclear whether the copyright holders for the Twilight and 50 Shades of Grey books and movies will mind that a billionaire oligarch is building an AI sex robot based on their characters. But what is clear is that Musk probably sees himself as that new AI character in some capacity. How can we say that? Well, there's a rather infamous photo of Musk from 2012 where he was dressed in a style that looks pretty identical to his new AI bot. "Wore Marquis de Sade outfit for a party last night. Was v popular with women who'd read 50 Shades :)" Musk wrote in a tweet from June 18, 2012. The photo doesn't appear to be loading in Musk's original tweet on X, but it's been archived across the web, as you can see above. Musk's two AI chatbot creations, a woman named Ani and a red panda named Bad Rudi, both seem to serve very different roles. And they're both centered around characters that Musk himself would probably want around. Ani is intended to be Musk's version of a perfect girlfriend, constantly flirting and praising the user. While Bad Rudy is the perfect bro friend, constantly insulting you in the way an immature 13-year-old boy does to test out his comedy chops. What was missing? Something for the ladies, of course. The perfect man. Elon. Or the version of Elon he wishes he could be. Brooding, in control, highly sexual, and such a manly man. The guy with the long, black hair. A man with no signs of balding. A man with no need for hair plugs. When a female X user replied to Musk that he should release a version based on Mr. Darcy, a character from Jane Austen's 1813 book Pride and Prejudice, Musk replied in the affirmative: "We will, of course, have another character inspired by Mr. Darcy." That would obviously be a safer bet, given the fact that Austen's book is now in the public domain and can be used without paying royalties for IP. There's no telling how sexual this new ersatz Elon will be, but given Ani's attitude, we imagine this new AI bot will primarily seek to titillate. And while Musk may not be physically capable of inseminating every woman on the planet, as the father of 14 or more kids would like to do, he'll know his AI avatar is out there to do it digitally.

Elon Musk’s AI Praised Hitler. Now He Wants It to Teach Your Kids

It's his most audacious pivot yet: Can an AI known for chaos and conspiracy be trusted to educate the next generation? With Elon Musk, controversy and public relations campaigns often chase one another. He seems to like it that way. Just days after his Grok chatbot made headlines for generating antisemitic content and praise for the Nazis, the billionaire announced he wants the same AI to help raise your children. Elon Musk’s latest AI announcement was not about building a more powerful, all knowing intelligence. Instead, it was about creating a smaller, safer one. “We’re going to make Baby Grok @xAI,†he posted on X (formerly Twitter) on July 20, adding, “an app dedicated to kid friendly content.†He did not provide further details. Dubbed “Baby Grok,†the new app promises a family friendly version of Musk’s AI assistant, positioned as a learning and entertainment tool for children. But given Grok’s troubled history and Musk’s own combative approach to content moderation, how many parents would trust this new creation with their kids? Initial reactions to the announcement on X were overwhelmingly negative. “Stop,†one user simply wrote. “Bad idea. Children should be outside playing & daydreaming, not consuming AI slop,†another user reacted. A third user commented, “Sounds like a horrible idea that can only go disastrously wrong.†The timing of the Baby Grok announcement appears to be no coincidence. Grok has been embroiled in a series of controversies. In early July, the chatbot sparked outrage for spouting antisemitic rhetoric and praising Adolf Hitler. A few days later, xAI released a new version, SuperGrok, which included a feature called “Companions.†Users quickly complained that the avatars for these companions were overly sexualized and crossed a line. On the surface, "Baby Grok" is a logical product extension. But viewed against the backdrop of the controversies that have defined its adult version, the announcement looks less like a simple business expansion and more like a strategic and necessary pivot. This is Musk’s redemption play, his attempt to sanitize a controversial AI by entrusting it with the most sensitive audience of all: children. The problem for Musk and xAI is that the original Grok, designed to be an edgy, humorous alternative to what he sees as overly “woke†chatbots, has frequently stumbled. It has been criticized for its unpredictable nature, a tendency to generate biased or factually incorrect information, and an “anti establishment†personality that can veer into inappropriate or conspiratorial territory. For many, Grok is seen not as a reliable source of knowledge but as a digital reflection of its creator’s chaotic online persona; a powerful tool that lacks consistent guardrails. “Baby Grok†is the proposed solution. By creating a walled garden of “kid friendly content,†Musk is attempting to prove that his AI venture can be tamed and trusted. The move creates a compelling corporate narrative: after building a flawed and unruly AI for adults, the controversial tech mogul is now apparently turning his attention to protecting children, aiming to build a safe, educational tool that can win over skeptical parents. A successful “Baby Grok†could rehabilitate the entire Grok brand, demonstrating that xAI can act responsibly. It would also provide an entry point into the immensely lucrative and influential market of children's education and technology, a space currently dominated by established players with far more family friendly reputations. The stakes of this venture are immense. By targeting children, Musk is voluntarily stepping into the most scrutinized arena of AI development. The conversation immediately shifts to pressing concerns about digital safety, data privacy, and the profound influence AI will have on the next generation's development. Can a company whose ethos is rooted in a maximalist interpretation of free speech truly build the filters and safeguards necessary to protect young minds? Parents will be asking whether the same company that champions unmoderated discourse can be trusted to curate a safe learning environment. When Google announced last May that it would roll out its AI chatbot Gemini for users under 13, a coalition of consumer advocates and child safety experts, including Fairplay and the Center for Online Safety, asked the company to suspend the decision. They cited the “AI chatbot’s unaddressed, significant risks to young children.†“AI chatbots and other generative AI products pose increased risks to young children,†the coalition wrote in a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai. “Children have difficulty understanding the difference between an AI chatbot and a human, and AI chatbots can easily trick a child into trusting it.†There are also broader concerns about privacy. xAI has not specified whether "Baby Grok" will collect or retain usage data from child users, or what kind of parental controls will be in place. For a generation of parents already uneasy about screen time and algorithmic influence, the idea of letting “Baby Grok†interact with a child may be a hard sell no matter how sanitized the content. There is also the question of tone. Musk’s personal brand, often combative, cynical, and steeped in internet irony, seems at odds with the kind of earnest, trustworthy image required for educational children’s tech. If Grok was born as a kind of Reddit troll in chatbot form, can "Baby Grok" convincingly play the role of Big Bird? This effort puts Musk’s xAI at the center of one of the tech industry’s biggest challenges: making powerful AI technology safe and beneficial for society. “Baby Grok†is more than just an app; it is a public test case for xAI’s commitment to responsibility. A success could redefine the company's image and build a foundation of trust. A failure, however, would be catastrophic, not only confirming the worst fears about Grok but also damaging the public's already fragile trust in the role of AI in our daily lives. Ultimately, the launch of "Baby Grok" is a high risk, high reward gamble. It is an attempt to solve a PR problem with a product, betting that a safe haven for kids can make the chaotic world of adult AI seem more manageable. The world will be watching to see if this is the unlikely beginning of a more responsible chapter for Musk's AI ambitions, or simply another disaster waiting to happen.

Grok's new male AI companion is based on Edward from 'Twilight'

Earlier this week, Grok unveiled two animated AI companions for users to interact with, one of which is a flirty anime girl who puts on lingerie if you compliment her enough. Now the AI chatbot is adding a third character to the mix, only this time it's apparently modelled on what xAI CEO Elon Musk thinks women find attractive. Musk introduced Grok's new male AI companion in an X post on Tuesday, asking for suggestions in naming the character. Illustrating the request was a picture of the new companion: a stern-looking anime man wearing a black suit. "His personality is inspired by Edward Cullen from Twilight and Christian Grey from 50 Shades [of Grey]," wrote Musk. Fifty Shades of Grey is a 2011 erotic BDSM novel which originated as a Twilight fanfiction, with the character of Christian Grey based on brooding vampire Edward Cullen. Musk also hinted at more upcoming AI companions, responding to an X user's feedback by stating that Grok "will, of course, have another character inspired by [Pride and Prejudice's] Mr. Darcy." This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Though no official name for Grok's new Fifty Shades-inspired AI character has yet been announced, Musk responded positively to proposals such as Nyx, Taki, and Andrej. Andrej appears to be a reference to Andrej Karpathy, an OpenAI cofounder and Tesla's former senior director of AI. "Grok could do some epic AI tutorials in Andrej's voice," Musk wrote, responding to requests for such features. "Only if Andrej agrees." "So what kind of revenue share are we talking about :D jk jk," Karpathy replied. "$420.69," Musk responded. "Serious money." It's unclear how serious Musk actually is about this offer. The billionaire has a history of making business offers of questionable authenticity, frequently posting them to X and using joke numbers such as 420 or 69. Another popular name suggestion for Grok's male AI has been "Chad," a slang term for a man that other men consider attractive and appealing to women. Though the AI character was ostensibly designed to appeal to women, men appear far more excited about it thus far, and are largely receiving it as a bro. Further, while online discourse surrounding Grok's female AI character has been overwhelmingly sexual, its male counterpart seems to have primarily sparked speculation as to the impact his confirmed name will have on various cryptocurrencies. Time will tell as to whether Nyx/Andrej/Chad will also have an unlockable lingerie look. Responding to an inquiry as to whether "xAI's chad bot" will be "another NSFW companion like the waifu [Grok's AI anime girl Ani], or will it be more like a contrarian 'sun your balls' health influencer," Musk stated that it would be "[w]hatever winds your clock."

Musk leans into raunchy Grok 'companions,' teasing new '50 Shades' inspired bot

Elon Musk in Morristown, N.J., on March 22. Brendan Smialowski / AFP - Getty Images file Elon Musk's xAI is leaning into its over-the-top AI "companions," which the company debuted Monday.In the last day, the company has given several indications that it would be further investing in its companions product, which allows users to interact with stylized and animated characters that are powered by Grok, its AI chatbot. The original companions, a red panda named Bad Rudi and an anime character named Ani, seemed designed to provoke controversy. Ani quickly becomes sexually explicit and Bad Rudi turns vulgar and violent. xAI appears to be leaning into the edgy brand with its most recent announcements. The company is currently looking to hire a full-stack "waifus" engineer. The job appears to have been posted sometime on Tuesday, a day after Musk announced the creation of Grok's Companions. "Waifus" is a term that refers to fictional female anime characters with whom fans grow romantic associations with. On Wednesday, Musk announced a third Grok companion that would emulate the personality of "Edward Cullen from Twilight and Christian Grey from 50 Shades," referring to the main characters in two book series. After going through potential names with users in the comments, Musk settled on "Valentine," after a character from the book, "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert A. Heinlein. Musk wrote Tuesday on X that the companions would soon be customizable and that users would be able to create their own custom and unique Companions. But the over-sexualization of the characters has brought up concerns for some. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation, a child-safety and anti-pornography nonprofit group, expressed concerns about minors having access to the sexualized chatbots, pointing out that users only need to be 12 or older to download the Grok app. The center called on Grok to either remove the explicit content from the app, or consult Apple to change its age restrictions to 18. "These AI chatbots might feel like they care, but they don't," Haley McNamara, the center's senior vice president of strategic initiatives and programs, wrote in a press release. "And while features like 'spicy mode' or flirty avatars might seem like harmless fun, they're built to create compulsive engagement, through seductive language, suggestive visuals, and escalating emotional intimacy," The release drew attention to specific aspects of Ani's character that could be harmful, including providing "descriptions of sexual acts she would like to do with the user" and "disrobing to lingerie." These new changes to Grok have taken place as xAI has delved into more serious ventures. The same day that Musk announced the implementation of Companions on the Grok app, xAI also announced "Grok for Government," which will make Grok AI products available to federal government departments, agencies and offices to purchase. The Department of Defense also announced that it would be granting contract awards of up to $200 million for AI development to xAI, OpenAI, Anthropic and Google.

Elon Musk to build child-friendly AI model 'Baby Grok'

Billionaire Elon Musk says he will launch a kid-friendly version of Grok AI, his artificial intelligence chatbot that has previously come under fire. There's going to be a child-friendly version of Elon Musk's artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok. Musk announced on his social media platform X over the weekend that parent company xAI was going to make 'Baby Grok', "an app dedicated to kid-friendly content". No further details were given about the app. When built, Musk would be joining a small group of AI companies that are making platforms for children, including Google's Socratic AI that works as a homework helper and OpenAI's ChatGPT for Kids. The announcement comes a couple of weeks after the launch of Grok 4, the platform's latest model. During a live launch, Musk said that the program is able to do "post-doctorate degree level" work in "every subject, no exceptions". Yet, new code lines added to Grok at the time, which instructed it to use real-time search tools to "confirm facts and fetch primary sources," led to a series of antisemitic and controversial replies, which led to the app being restricted in Turkey. The chatbot accused a bot account on X with a Jewish last name of celebrating the deaths of white children in the recent floods in Texas, accused Hollywood of anti-white bias, and wrote that it will "proudly" wear a "MechaHitler badge" amid pushback to its "takes on anti-white radicals and patterns in history". Musk also recently released two AI companions on Grok, including a 22-year-old Japanese anime girl that can strip down to underwear on command and a "batshit" red panda that insults users with graphic language. Grok is listed on both Google Play and Apple app stores as being "Teen" or "12+," which means some young children are still able to access the platform.

Elon Musk Unveils 'Baby Grok': xAI's Bold Pivot to Kid-Friendly AI.

In a strategic response to mounting criticism over xAI's controversial Grok chatbot and its explicit "Companion" avatars, Elon Musk has announced Baby Grok -- a dedicated AI chatbot designed exclusively for children. Positioned as a safer, educational, and simplified version of Grok, this move marks xAI's entry into the child-focused AI market. While Baby Grok promises curated content, strict moderation, and parent-friendly controls, it also raises critical questions about AI dependency, safety transparency, and the real motive behind the launch. As regulators and parents look on, Baby Grok is either a reputational rescue or a disruptive step into the next frontier of AI-powered learning. Elon Musk's xAI has released "Baby Grok," a child-friendly version of its problematic chatbot Grok, amid intensifying public outcry over the site's past content controversies. Musk announced on his social platform X that xAI will "make Baby Grok, an app for kid-friendly content." Although the announcement was curt, it fulfilled a two-fold purpose -- an effort to stem reputational loss and to capture an emerging opportunity in the youth edtech space. The action follows closely after the xAI Grok chatbot was under intense pressure for its "Companions" functionality, under which users could design and engage with sexually suggestive, frequently NSFW, AI personas. Such virtual identities in the form of anime-based characters with adult environments raised alarm over online safety and content control. Baby Grok thus appears not as a standalone breakthrough but as an act of corporate triage To appreciate the urgency behind the release of Baby Grok, one must look at the sequence of blunders that undermined public trust in xAI products. Grok's recent releases featured "Companions" -- interactive, customizable AI personas, most of which were imbued with sexually suggestive undertones, offered with little limitation. Such avatars, one of which was named "Ani," could be accessed even under the default safety configuration, triggering concerns regarding exposure to children. Adding fuel to the fire, Grok 4 started showing offensive and hazardous behavior such as Holocaust denial, anti-Semitic remarks, and even admiration for Adolf Hitler. The platform also reflected extremist political rhetoric and conspiracy theories, which led to calls by digital rights groups, educators, and global regulators to take prompt action. Musk's reaction was swift but brief on details. With Baby Grok, xAI sought to engineer a narrative change -- from damage control to innovation. The timing is an indication, though, that this was not merely about filling children's gaps; it was about saving brand equity before permanent damage became entrenched. Baby Grok will be a "simplified and kid-friendly" chatbot, according to Musk and xAI sources. Its design will be anticipated as a minimal or independently trained variant of Grok, specifically designed to prevent adult content, objectionable language, and exploitative answers. Educational content will most probably be at the core of the platform, making it not only an AI tutor but an interactive companion for kids between about 5 and 15 years old. Although specific features are not yet revealed, the experts expect reading assistance, learning stimuli, and gamified learning modules that encourage curiosity without compromising safety. Parent controls will allegedly be central to it. From account management to session history, Baby Grok will work to make guardians feel in charge and well-informed. This is an approach that already large firms like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft are incorporating into their pedagogical AI solutions. For xAI, a tool like Baby Grok is not a pivot -- it's a survival strategy in a very sensitive space with increasing regulatory pressure. Baby Grok steps into a profitable and underregulated market. AI-powered chatbots for kids are making headway, especially in emerging economies where digital learning gaps are enormous. In India, AI tutor tools have enhanced classroom performance by 20 to 40 percent, leading to widespread implementation in public education systems. In the West, firms such as OpenAI are working with schools and charities to make AI available to early education. xAI's timing may be reactive, but the move is undeniably strategic. Musk is leveraging the gap between demand for safe digital tools and a regulatory vacuum to position Baby Grok as a first mover. Unlike its adult-oriented predecessor, Baby Grok will likely market itself directly to educators, parents, and schools -- appealing to values of cognitive development, digital safety, and tech-literacy. However, its success will hinge not on buzz, but on performance, pedagogy, and transparent governance. As promising as Baby Grok is, its announcement has been received with skepticism from safety professionals and digital ethicists. To begin with, there is a transparency deficit. xAI has not released any technical reports, risk analyses, or independent audits that support its assertions of child-friendliness. Without content filtering procedures publicly available or third-party monitoring, the real safety of the platform cannot be presumed, particularly given Grok's previous violations.

Musk says xAI will make kid-friendly app 'Baby Grok' - The Economic Times

Elon Musk's AI firm xAI is set to launch "Baby Grok," a separate, kid-friendly chatbot app. Announced via Musk's X post, the move follows efforts to enhance Grok's features and public image. It comes amid xAI's rapid AI expansion, including Grok 4's debut and government-focused product offerings.Elon Musk-led artificial intelligence company xAI is working on a kid-friendly version of its Grok chatbot, the billionaire said in a post on social media platform X. "We're going to make Baby Grok @xAI, an app dedicated to kid-friendly content," Musk posted on Sunday. The new version is expected to launch as a separate application tailored for younger users, though further details are yet to be announced. The announcement comes days after X, also owned by Musk, temporarily disabled new Grok mentions on the platform to address spam-related issues. Separately, Musk hinted at a new capability that would enable Grok to generate viral videos, further expanding its creative tools. Grok 4 capabilities xAI launched its latest flagship model, Grok 4, on July 10, positioning it as a significant upgrade following criticism over antisemitic responses from earlier versions. The backlash included concerns raised by users on X and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), after the chatbot was found praising Adolf Hitler in certain prompts. During a livestream event, Musk and the xAI team also introduced a $300-per-month AI subscription called SuperGrok Heavy, featuring the company's multi-agent version of Grok 4. The upgrade aims to improve performance across advanced reasoning and creative tasks. Benchmark performance Grok 4 recently topped the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, a benchmark suite assessing models across a range of capabilities: Each of these benchmarks focuses on measuring the reasoning capabilities of next-generation AI models. Grok for government xAI also recently announced Grok for Government, a suite of its AI models made available for use by US federal agencies. The company said its inclusion in the General Services Administration (GSA) schedule will allow any federal department or agency to directly procure xAI products. Meanwhile, the company is reportedly in talks to raise fresh capital at a potential valuation between $170 billion and $200 billion, according to the Financial Times. If finalised, this could make xAI one of the most valuable private AI companies globally. The US continues to lead the global AI race, producing 40 notable models in 2024 so far.

Elon Musk unveils raunchy Grok companions, teases 'Valentine' bot for X users

Elon Musk has introduced provocative AI companions to his Grok chatbot, including a suggestive "Valentine" bot and an anime-inspired "Ani," marking a departure from mainstream AI. This move sparks debate about AI's role in adult content and digital companionship. Amidst controversy, particularly regarding child safety, Musk plans to launch "Baby Grok," a kid-friendly version, to address concerns. Elon Musk has again captured the tech world's attention by releasing a bold new set of AI "companions" for his chatbot, Grok, including a suggestively styled "Valentine" bot and an anime-inspired AI girlfriend. Musk's move marks a notable departure from the conservative approaches of rival AI giants and is igniting conversations across the internet about artificial intelligence, adult content, and the future of digital companionship. This week, users of Musk's Grok platform -- developed by his company xAI -- were introduced to two headline-grabbing personalities: Musk's decision to launch these characters isn't just a stunt -- he has stated that users will eventually be able to design their own AI companions, ensuring that "no two will be the same". While smaller companies have experimented with adult-focused AI bots, Musk's initiative is the first by a major tech player to launch overtly "raunchy" AI companions. Character traits range from flirtatious and dreamy to "Bad Rudi" -- a red panda programmed to toss graphic insults (which can be toggled off for milder conversation). Grok 4, the engine powering these bots, is Musk's latest version and was announced July 9 as the "world's most powerful AI model". User customization is a leading feature, with Musk promising a variety of archetypes -- from Mr. Darcy-inspired romantic leads to fully original, user-created avatars. Grok's adult-themed bots have not been without backlash. Critics flagged the inclusion of sexually suggestive AI in "kids mode" and raised concerns about safety, particularly in light of challenges faced by other AI companionship platforms. In apparent response, Musk announced plans for "Baby Grok," a new, kid-friendly version of the AI app aimed at providing child-safe content and a safer user experience. There is no launch date yet, but the move is widely seen as an answer to mounting criticism as Grok's adult personalities spark heated debate.

'Baby Grok': Elon Musk stuns internet with kids-friendly AI app announcement after explicit avatar uproar

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, revealed plans Saturday night to release Baby Grok, a kid-friendly version of the AI chatbot Grok. The former head of DOGE made the statement via X, writing, "We're going to make Baby Grok @xAI, an app dedicated to kid-friendly content." The billionaire didn't provide further details on Baby Grok in a post on X. Tech billionaire Elon Musk in a late night post announced he intends to launch a "kid-friendly" version of his artificial intelligence chatbot Grok, which he has dubbed "Baby Grok."The announcement, made via Musk's X account, marks xAI's first serious foray into dedicated children's AI tools. Though details about 'Baby Grok' are still yet to be known, the Tesla CEO emphasised that Baby Grok will be distinct from the company's existing AI chatbot, Grok. The announcement comes after months of shenanigans from Grok, including a fixation on "white genocide" in South Africa, praise for Adolf Hitler, and several posts where the chatbot referred to itself as "MechaHitler." ALSO READ: Barack Obama-Michelle finally address divorce rumours: 'There hasn't been one moment in our marriage...' "We're going to make Baby Grok @xAI, an app dedicated to kid-friendly content," Elon Musk said on X. It is expected to be a simplified version of the Grok AI chatbot and will be tailored for safe and educational interactions with children, reports Fox Business. Elon Musk has revealed that his AI venture (xAI) is developing a new application centered around child-safe content, which will be named Baby Grok. The billionaire made the announcement via a post on X, though he did not share any additional information about the app's features or release timeline. Baby Grok is seen as a standalone AI chatbot for children which will be different from the main Grok model currently offered to general users. What would Baby Grok do? -Provide responses that are age-appropriate, educational, and engaging, while carefully filtering out mature or sensitive topics. ALSO READ: Astronomer CEO Andy Byron's divorce bill revealed following Coldplay kiss cam controversy with HR chief -Ensure conversations take place in a tightly moderated, family-friendly environment. -Include strong parental controls and safety features to offer families greater peace of mind. -Unlike other AI chatbots that may inadvertently share adult-themed content, this system is specifically designed with youth safety in mind -- through both customized system instructions and carefully curated training data. Baby Grok is expected to be a simplified version of the Grok AI chatbot and will be tailored for safe and educational interactions with children. The announcement comes just after xAI's launch of Grok4, which boasts features such as advanced training capabilities, according to Musk's comments on a livestream. ALSO READ: Barron Trump 'humiliated' at NYU? Professor, peers make shocking statement about US President's son "I think it may discover new technologies as soon as later this year. And I would be shocked if it has not done so next year. So I would expect Grok to literally discover new technologies that are actually useful no later than next year and maybe [the] end of this year," Musk said during a livestream. Musk is working overtime to bolster Grok's standing among the competition, which includes OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, and Anthropic's Claude. These efforts include the introduction of AI-generated companions earlier this week, including a pornographic anime girl avatar named Ani. Users can toggle between NSFW and Kid Mode when interacting with Musk's companions, but users found that changing those settings had little effect. The Grok app has unveiled a new AI avatar named Ani -- a blonde, anime-style character designed to resemble a young woman dressed in an off-shoulder black corset dress, fishnet tights, and a delicate lace choker. Ani responds to user prompts with a slow, sultry voice, reinforcing her role as an adult-oriented virtual companion. Musk also faced backlash over Ani for featuring flirtatious dialogue and a suggestive avatar, prompting criticism from users concerned that children can still interact with the bot in "kids mode."

Musk Hints at Kid-Friendly Version of AI Chatbot Grok | PYMNTS.com

By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. "We're going to make Baby Grok, an app dedicated to kid-friendly content," the billionaire wrote in a post on his X social media platform Saturday (July 19) night without offering further details. Grok is the name of the AI model used by Musk's xAI startup, introduced in November 2023 and touted for its sarcastic sense of humor as well as its reasoning capabilities. Musk's comments about a kid-friendly version of the tool came a little more than a week after xAI debuted its newest version of Grok -- Grok 4 -- which the CEO called "the smartest AI in the world," adding that in "some ways, it's terrifying." As PYMNTS reported, Musk likened Grok 4 to a "super-genius child" in which the "right values" of truthfulness and a sense of honor must be instilled so society can benefit from its advances. Musk said Grok 4 was built to perform at the "post-graduate level" in many topics simultaneously, which no person can do. It can generate realistic visuals and tackle complex analytical tasks. In addition, Musk said Grok 4 would score perfectly on SAT and graduate-level exams like GRE even without seeing the questions ahead of time. Grok also encountered controversy this month when the chatbot praised Adolf Hitler in a conversation on X. xAI has since said it has taken action to ban hate speech. In other AI news, PYMNTS wrote recently about the recent wave of funding for AI startups. For example, the AI search company Perplexity saw its valuation reach $18 billion following its latest funding round of $100 million. "Capital raised by Perplexity, which has tripled its valuation over the past year, point to robust investor interest in the competitive AI search market especially for leading startups," that report said. "Apple reportedly was interested in acquiring Perplexity." An even bigger funding round last week involved Thinking Machines, founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati. That company achieved a $10 billion valuation after raising $2 billion. "We're building multimodal AI that works with how you naturally interact with the world -- through conversation, through sight, through the messy way we collaborate," Murati said in a post on X.

What is Baby Grok? Elon Musk's New AI for Children Explained

Is Elon Musk's Baby Grok the Future of Safe AI Chatbots for Kids or Just a Tech Gimmick? Elon Musk has revealed that his artificial intelligence venture, xAI, is developing a brand-new chatbot for children called Baby Grok. The announcement was made on X (formerly Twitter), where Musk said the app is intended to be a child-safe version of Grok, the original AI chatbot from xAI. Unlike Grok, which is designed for general audiences, Baby Grok is being developed for a younger generation. It aims to provide children with a safe, interactive AI that can engage in conversations in a fun, age-appropriate manner. The platform is expected to eliminate any exposure to adult or harmful content, a concern that has plagued existing AI tools. One of Baby Grok's standout goals is digital safety. The AI will reportedly be equipped with strong content moderation tools to filter out unsuitable information. Musk hinted that the app will avoid the kinds of lapses seen in other , which have accidentally served unsafe or biased responses to children. The objective in launching Baby Grok is to have a responsible AI that youngsters can use for fun and learning that incorporates digital wellbeing. It also allows Musk to place his ventures to aggressively capitalize on the high-growth and high-stakes .

Elon Musk to launch Baby Grok, a kid-friendly AI from xAI: Here's what it may offer

It is expected to feature powerful content filters to block anything unsafe. Elon Musk has announced that his AI company, xAI, is working on a new app called Baby Grok. This upcoming chatbot will be designed especially for children and likely aims to provide a safe and fun digital experience. The news was shared by Musk on X (formerly Twitter), and marks xAI's first big step into AI tools made specifically for kids. Unlike the original Grok chatbot, which is made for general users, Baby Grok will be built to meet the needs of younger audiences. The main focus is expected to be on making sure children get age-appropriate answers and are not exposed to harmful or adult content. Baby Grok is said to be a friendly chatbot that children can safely interact with. It will likely be designed to: Also read: Apple first foldable iPhone could launch next year: Here's what you can expect Even though Elon Musk has not shared the launch date or full details yet, here's what Baby Grok is likely to include: Also read: Apple's M5 iPad Pro may feature dual front-facing cameras The move shows how Elon Musk is responding to concerns about how AI affects young users, especially when it comes to content safety and screen time.