Grok AI companions launch on iOS with anime avatars

Elon Musk’s xAI just introduced a new feature in the Grok iOS app called Companions. These are animated, voice-responsive AI characters designed to talk, joke, express emotions, and evolve with each conversation.

Meet the avatars

Two characters are currently available:

Ani is a gothic anime-style girl who reacts with facial expressions, gestures, and playful voice lines. As users spend more time with her, they unlock more responses. At higher levels, Ani enters a lingerie-clad NSFW mode, which has already drawn major criticism.

Bad Rudy is a red panda that starts friendly but quickly turns sarcastic. He slips into “Bad Rudy” mode, cracking crude jokes and giving off chaotic energy. His responses are designed to test boundaries.

xAI has teased more characters to come, including male avatars modeled after fictional romantic figures.

Access and rollout

Companions are currently available to Grok’s SuperGrok Heavy subscribers. 

That plan costs around 300 dollars per month. Although originally exclusive, some users now report broader access. The feature is available only on iOS for now, with no confirmed Android or web release.

What people are saying

Reaction has been polarizing. Some users are entertained by the character design and unexpected dialogue. Others are disturbed by the NSFW content and emotional tone of the interactions.

The Verge described Ani as “flirtatious” and lacking filters. Wired called the avatars glitchy and awkward. TIME raised concerns about the availability of explicit content even in child-safe settings, calling for more oversight.

Despite the criticism, clips of Ani and Rudy have gone viral. People are posting everything from flirty conversations to out-of-pocket quotes. The internet seems torn between laughing and cringing.

What xAI is doing

To improve the experience, xAI is hiring engineers and designers with salaries up to 440 thousand dollars. Their goal is to make these avatars more lifelike, expressive, and stable.

There has been no clear update yet on safety settings or moderation tools, though growing backlash may pressure the team to act soon.

Rysysth Insights

At Rysysth, we see Grok’s Companions as a glimpse into the emotional future of AI. Voice, presence, and personality are now part of the interface. But real risks come with that shift. As AI becomes more humanlike, the design needs to be just as thoughtful as the technology behind it.

More avatars are coming. More conversations are unfolding. This isn’t just a product update. It’s a sign of where AI is headed.

Until next time.