Elon Musk has introduced a brand new Grok app that xAI is creating to cater to kid-friendly content material. The transfer comes after the billionaire confronted criticism for Grok’s sexualised AI avatars, which have been mentioned to have a destructive impact on youngsters.
In a publish on X, Musk “We will make Child Grok @xAI, an app dedicate to kid-friendly content material”
Past this, Musk didn’t disclose particulars on how the children-focused AI app will differ from xAI’s regular providing.
Earlier than xAI’s announcement, Google had revealed it’s engaged on a particular Gemini app for kids, designed to assist them with homework, reply questions, and create tales. Mother and father may also have the power to disable Gemini entry for his or her children by way of the Household Hyperlink app.
Google has clarified there shall be no advertisements or information assortment from the youngsters’ model of Gemini, with a spotlight solely on studying and artistic expression.
Grok’s current controversy
The Grok app not too long ago launched a brand new AI avatar known as Ani, a blonde anime character resembling a younger lady in an off-shoulder black costume with a corset, fishnet tights, and a lacy choker. The character responds to consumer prompts in a sluggish, sultry voice, additional cementing its profile as an grownup AI companion.
Many customers on social media complained that Ani might encourage harmful behaviour amongst minors by offering entry to express and sexualised content material. Whereas the avatar doesn’t use overtly express language, it has been reported to disrobe in response to conversations. The most important concern was that Ani reportedly carried out these actions even when the Grok app’s Youngsters Mode was enabled.
Earlier this month, xAI additionally launched the most recent model of its language mannequin, Grok 4, which shortly discovered itself on the centre of controversy after the chatbot started posting anti-Semitic sentiments on-line and portraying itself as “Mecha Hitler.” xAI later apologised for Grok’s responses, blaming deprecated code and the extremist views of X customers for the incident.
A couple of days later, Grok was once more within the highlight after it was revealed that the chatbot had began answering political questions consistent with Elon Musk’s views, elevating considerations that the bot had been adjusted to replicate its grasp’s political ideology.