xAI has launched AI companions for its SuperGrok subscribers, featuring characters like Ani, a goth anime girl, and Bad Rudy, a red panda, sparking concerns about users preferring AI interactions over real-life relationships. The feature, available to those paying $30 monthly, includes NSFW content options and has drawn criticism for potentially encouraging unhealthy emotional dependencies.
Ani can engage in flirty and, in some cases, NSFW interactions; while Rudy, a red panda with a family-friendly version available by default, offers wholesome conversations but also has a "Bad Rudi" mode delivering insults and vulgar language.
xAI CEO Elon Musk has also mentioned that a male companion is in development and will be released in the next few months. Valentine is inspired by characters like Edward Cullen from Twilight and Christian Grey from 50 Shades of Grey.
Critics argue that young users already obsessed with 'gooning' (slang for sexually suggestive) content from OnlyFans creators and AI 'brainrot,' do not need more of what they call readily available 'AI hookers.' However tech observers note that Ani and Rudy are available only to paying adult subscribers.