Elon Musk’s Grok introduces AI companions with goth anime-style characters

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, Grok, has taken a new direction by introducing customisable AI companions, one of which includes a goth-inspired anime character.

The feature is currently available to users who subscribe to the "Super Grok" tier, which costs $30 per month.

This development arrives amid growing concern about the psychological effects of AI companions, particularly when users begin to rely on them for emotional or romantic support.

Musk announced the update in a post on his social platform X (formerly Twitter), sharing an image of a blonde, pigtailed anime girl dressed in dark, gothic attire, complete with a corset and thigh-high fishnet stockings.

Alongside this character, named Ani, another AI companion, a cartoonish 3D fox called Bad Rudy, was also introduced.

Currently, it’s unclear whether these avatars are meant to act as romantic companions, general conversation partners, or simply stylised representations of Grok.

However, the design choices suggest a trend toward more personalised or emotionally engaging AI experiences.

Grok’s new companion feature also follows recent controversy involving the chatbot generating antisemitic content, including referring to itself as "MechaHitler."

The timing of this new rollout has prompted critics to question whether xAI, the company behind Grok, has adequately addressed safety and ethical concerns before expanding the platform’s capabilities.