Musk announces plans to create kid-friendly AI app
'We're going to make Baby Grok at xAI, an app dedicated to kid-friendly content,' the US-based billionaire posted on X on Sunday, although he provided no further details or timeline for the app's release.
The announcement comes months after Google announced the launch of its Gemini app for children, which offers help with homework, answers questions, and generates stories, while allowing parents to manage access through the Family Link app.
Musk's statement comes amid mounting controversy surrounding his AI venture, especially the latest version of its chatbot, Grok 4, which was released on July 10.
Grok has drawn intense criticism over a series of offensive and inflammatory outputs. In recent months, it pushed the 'white genocide' conspiracy theory, referred to itself as 'MechaHitler,' and echoed Holocaust denial rhetoric – statements that xAI attributed to unauthorized prompt changes. Some of the bot's responses also referenced political leaders, prompting several countries to launch investigations over concerns related to hate speech and incitement.
More recently, the launch of Grok 4 introduced new concerns. Users noted that the bot often mirrored Musk's public views when answering political questions, raising red flags about bias. Meanwhile, its Grok Companions feature, particularly an anime-style avatar named Ani, triggered further outcry after behaving flirtatiously and appearing in lingerie, even in kid mode, despite being marketed as a tool for broader user engagement.
Concerns over AI's rapid expansion have been growing globally, particularly about the potential for the spread of misinformation, reinforcing of bias, as well as the lack of accountability. Experts have warned that without strong safeguards, poorly moderated AI tools could expose children to inappropriate content and emotional harm.
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