xAI company has added a new feature to its Grok artificial intelligence chatbot — interactive anime-style AI avatars. These avatars respond to users' text and voice queries with facial expressions, body movements, and animations.
Currently available only on the iOS platform, this feature is exclusive to SuperGrok subscribers. Among the new avatars are “Ani,” an anime-style girl dressed in black with fishnet stockings, and “Bad Rudy,” a 3D fox character.
“Ani” interacts with users using the affectionate nickname “babe,” and when users build a closer relationship with her, they can activate an NSFW (not safe for work) mode. This function allows for more personalized and deeper interactions but also raises ethical and psychological concerns.
This innovation sparks discussion about the future of human relationships with artificial intelligence. Experts warn that such avatars might lead people to distance themselves from real connections and turn more toward virtual relationships, which could result in loneliness.
The new Grok feature highlights that alongside AI development, social and ethical issues are becoming increasingly important. The psychological effects of users’ interactions with these avatars have yet to be fully studied.
