Latest news with #XPremium+
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Elon Musk Unveils Custom AI Companions for Grok, Featuring Goth Anime Girl ‘Ani' and Red Panda ‘Rudy'
Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok is stepping into the world of digital companionship. In a fresh move to expand user interaction, Grok has introduced customisable AI companions — the first of which are a goth-themed anime character named Ani and a red panda named Rudy. These AI avatars are currently being rolled out as part of a soft launch available to subscribers of Super Grok, a $30/month tier under the broader X Premium+ offering. This premium subscription gives users access to advanced AI features including DeepSearch, image generation, real-time data capabilities, and a complex reasoning mode. Musk shared the update through a post on X, saying, 'This is pretty cool,' along with an image of Ani — a character designed with a distinct goth anime aesthetic. Ani is shown as a blonde girl with pigtails, dressed in a black corset, short skirt, and thigh-high fishnet stockings. The avatar can be activated by adjusting settings within the Grok app, according to early user reports. Rudy, on the other hand, is a red panda-inspired companion, bringing a more playful and whimsical design to the mix. Both Ani and Rudy are designed to engage users through interactive conversations typical of the Grok experience. While xAI has not officially published comprehensive documentation about these AI avatars, testers confirm that the companions are interactive and have a human-like conversational style. The move seems to signal a larger strategy by xAI to create more engaging and persona-driven experiences for its user base. Interestingly, a third character named Chad has also been spotted in the app interface, hinting that more AI companions may soon join the lineup. Grok's existing voice chat functionality may also get integrated with these avatars, enabling even more immersive, spoken interactions. However, the launch hasn't been without controversy. Reports suggest that Ani includes an optional not-safe-for-work (NSFW) mode, altering her appearance to include more suggestive visuals. The Verge has noted that NSFW content associated with Ani has already appeared on X, sparking debate over content moderation. xAI has yet to release an official statement on the matter. This development also adds to the ongoing conversation about the psychological effects of emotionally engaging AI avatars. While these companions are not being officially marketed as romantic or emotional partners, their design and the ability to personalise them suggest a deliberate lean into emotionally resonant interactions. Experts warn that this could blur the lines between utility and intimacy in AI relationships. Grok's AI companions are designed to enhance personalisation and boost user engagement within the paid tiers of Musk's X ecosystem. As xAI continues to refine and expand these features, it's clear the future of AI chat is becoming more character-driven and emotionally interactive.
India Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Grok now has AI companions including a goth anime girl, says Elon Musk
Elon Musk has introduced a new feature to his AI chatbot Grok called customisable AI companions. The first characters released as part of this feature are a goth-style anime girl named Ani and a red panda named Rudy. The new characters are available to Super Grok subscribers, which is the $30-per-month tier of X Premium+.'This is pretty cool,' Musk wrote in one of his recent posts on X, sharing an image of the anime companion Ani. Ani is a blonde, pigtailed character wearing a black corset, short dress, and thigh-high fishnets. Musk confirmed that the AI companion feature is currently in a soft launch and will be easier to activate for Super AI subscribers in a few days. advertisementBoth of the new characters, Ani and Rudy, a red panda-style figure, can be accessed through the Grok app by adjusting the settings. While xAI has not yet shared official details around the AI companions and their features, the avatars appear to be fully interactive and capable of engaging in typical Grok-style of the X Premium+ subscription Super Grok is part of the broader X Premium+ subscription, which includes the AI chatbot's advanced features such as DeepSearch, real-time data access, image generation, and a reasoning mode for complex problem-solving. The companions seem to be the latest in a series of features aimed at boosting user engagement and offering greater personalisation for paid users. While the launch of Grok's AI companions is generating significant interest, early reports from users and testers also point to the inclusion of adult-themed content. One of the avatars, Ani, is said to feature a not-safe-for-work (NSFW) mode that alters her appearance, including suggestive clothing, reports The Verge. Although xAI has not officially detailed the feature, NSFW visuals connected to the character have already surfaced on X, raising concerns around content moderation and rollout of AI companions has also reignited the broader debate around the psychological impact of AI relationships. While Grok's avatars haven't been explicitly marketed as romantic or emotional partners, their stylised design and customisable features does place them in a category of AI interactions that blur the line between utility and emotional the meantime, users have spotted a third character, named Chad, who may soon be added to the Grok AI companion lineup. Grok already includes a voice chat mode, allowing for interactive spoken conversations, suggesting that xAI may be planning to further expand its persona-driven experience.- Ends
TECHx
5 days ago
- Automotive
- TECHx
Grok AI Chatbot Coming to Tesla Vehicles Soon
Home » Tech in Daily Life » Grok AI Chatbot Coming to Tesla Vehicles Soon Elon Musk has announced that Grok AI, the chatbot developed by his artificial intelligence company xAI, will be integrated into Tesla vehicles. He shared the update in a post on X early Thursday morning. Musk said the feature will arrive 'very soon,' possibly by next week. The news comes shortly after xAI unveiled Grok 4, its latest flagship AI model. Grok AI is designed as a conversational assistant with access to real-time information. According to xAI, the chatbot has a slightly sarcastic tone and aims to answer a wide range of user questions. Currently, Grok AI is available to users subscribed to X Premium+, the top tier of the social platform formerly known as Twitter. The chatbot has been positioned as an alternative to other generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini. Now, it's headed to Tesla vehicles. Although Musk did not detail how Grok AI will function inside the cars, the move suggests new voice-activated features could be on the way. These may include tasks like navigating, providing real-time updates, or offering conversation during autonomous driving. This update also shows closer ties between Musk's companies. By bringing Grok AI into Tesla, xAI's capabilities will directly enhance the in-car experience. Tesla has already placed strong focus on AI for self-driving and vehicle intelligence. Grok's integration adds another layer to that effort. While users will have to wait for specific details, the timeline appears short. Musk's comment points to a rollout within the next few days. As Tesla continues to evolve its software features, Grok AI may become a standard part of the in-vehicle interface.
