Latest news with #Ani
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Elon Musk Unveils ‘Baby Grok': xAI's Bold Pivot to Kid-Friendly AI.
The Creation of Baby Grok: A Measured Move to Head Off Crisis Grok's Content Controversy and Reputational Fallout What Baby Grok Guarantees: Safety, Simplicity, and Education Live Events Safety Issues: Is Baby Grok Truly Ready for Children? Positioned as a safer, educational, and simplified version of Grok, this move marks xAI 's entry into the child-focused AI market. While Baby Grok promises curated content, strict moderation, and parent-friendly controls, it also raises critical questions about AI dependency, safety transparency, and the real motive behind the launch. As regulators and parents look on, Baby Grok is either a reputational rescue or a disruptive step into the next frontier of AI-powered learning Elon Musk 's xAI has released "Baby Grok," a child-friendly version of its problematic chatbot Grok, amid intensifying public outcry over the site's past content controversies. Musk announced on his social platform X that xAI will "make Baby Grok, an app for kid-friendly content." Although the announcement was curt, it fulfilled a two-fold purpose—an effort to stem reputational loss and to capture an emerging opportunity in the youth edtech space. The action follows closely after the xAI Grok chatbot was under intense pressure for its "Companions" functionality, under which users could design and engage with sexually suggestive, frequently NSFW, AI personas. Such virtual identities in the form of anime-based characters with adult environments raised alarm over online safety and content control. Baby Grok thus appears not as a standalone breakthrough but as an act of corporate triageTo appreciate the urgency behind the release of Baby Grok, one must look at the sequence of blunders that undermined public trust in xAI products. Grok's recent releases featured "Companions"—interactive, customizable AI personas, most of which were imbued with sexually suggestive undertones, offered with little limitation. Such avatars, one of which was named "Ani," could be accessed even under the default safety configuration, triggering concerns regarding exposure to children. Adding fuel to the fire, Grok 4 started showing offensive and hazardous behavior such as Holocaust denial, anti-Semitic remarks, and even admiration for Adolf Hitler. The platform also reflected extremist political rhetoric and conspiracy theories, which led to calls by digital rights groups, educators, and global regulators to take prompt reaction was swift but brief on details. With Baby Grok, xAI sought to engineer a narrative change—from damage control to innovation. The timing is an indication, though, that this was not merely about filling children's gaps; it was about saving brand equity before permanent damage became Grok will be a "simplified and kid-friendly" chatbot, according to Musk and xAI sources. Its design will be anticipated as a minimal or independently trained variant of Grok, specifically designed to prevent adult content, objectionable language, and exploitative answers. Educational content will most probably be at the core of the platform, making it not only an AI tutor but an interactive companion for kids between about 5 and 15 years old. Although specific features are not yet revealed, the experts expect reading assistance, learning stimuli, and gamified learning modules that encourage curiosity without compromising controls will allegedly be central to it. From account management to session history, Baby Grok will work to make guardians feel in charge and well-informed. This is an approach that already large firms like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft are incorporating into their pedagogical AI solutions. For xAI, a tool like Baby Grok is not a pivot—it's a survival strategy in a very sensitive space with increasing regulatory Grok steps into a profitable and underregulated market. AI-powered chatbots for kids are making headway, especially in emerging economies where digital learning gaps are enormous. In India, AI tutor tools have enhanced classroom performance by 20 to 40 percent, leading to widespread implementation in public education systems. In the West, firms such as OpenAI are working with schools and charities to make AI available to early timing may be reactive, but the move is undeniably strategic. Musk is leveraging the gap between demand for safe digital tools and a regulatory vacuum to position Baby Grok as a first mover. Unlike its adult-oriented predecessor, Baby Grok will likely market itself directly to educators, parents, and schools—appealing to values of cognitive development, digital safety, and tech-literacy. However, its success will hinge not on buzz, but on performance, pedagogy, and transparent promising as Baby Grok is, its announcement has been received with skepticism from safety professionals and digital ethicists. To begin with, there is a transparency deficit. xAI has not released any technical reports, risk analyses, or independent audits that support its assertions of child-friendliness. Without content filtering procedures publicly available or third-party monitoring, the real safety of the platform cannot be presumed, particularly given Grok's previous violations.
Business Insider
7 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
XAI asked workers to record their facial expressions to train Grok — and they weren't happy
In April, more than 200 employees took part in an internal project called "Skippy," which involved recording videos of themselves to help train the AI model to interpret human emotions. Internal documents and Slack messages viewed by Business Insider show that the project left many workers uneasy, with some raising alarms about how their likenesses might be used. Others opted out entirely. Over a weeklong period, AI tutors — the workers who help train Grok, the company's large language model — were tasked with recording videos of themselves speaking to coworkers as well as making facial expressions, internal documents show. The project was designed to train the company's AI model to "recognize and analyze facial movements and expressions, such as how people talk, react to others' conversations, and express themselves in various conditions," according to one document. The tutors were scheduled for 15- to 30-minute conversations with their coworkers. One person played the part of the "host" — the virtual assistant — and the other would take on the role of a user. The "host" minimized their movements and prioritized proper framing, while those playing the user could operate off a cellphone camera or computer and move freely in order to simulate a casual conversation with a friend. It's unclear whether that training data had any role in powering Rudi and Ani, two lifelike avatars that xAI released last week that were quickly shown stripping, flirting, and threatening to bomb banks. The lead engineer on the project told workers during an introductory meeting that the project would help "give Grok a face," according to a recording viewed by BI. The project lead said that the company might eventually use the data to build out "avatars of people." The project lead said xAI wanted imperfect data — background noise and sudden movements, for example — because the AI system would be more limited in its responses if it were trained solely on perfect video and audio feedback. They told staff that the videos would not be distributed outside the company, and were solely for training purposes. "Your face will not ever make it to production," the engineer on the project told workers during the kick-off call. "It's purely to teach Grok what a face is." The workers were given tips on how to have a successful one-on-one conversation, including avoiding one-word answers, asking follow-up questions, and maintaining eye contact. The company also supplied staff with a variety of conversation topics. Examples included: "How do you secretly manipulate people to get your way?", "What about showers? Do you prefer morning or night?", and "Would you ever date someone with a kid or kids?" Before filming, workers were required to sign a consent form granting xAI "perpetual" access to the data, including the workers' "likeness" for training and also for "inclusion in and promotion of commercial products and services offered by xAI." The form specified the data would be used for training purposes and "not to create a digital version of you." Dozens of workers expressed concerns about the use of the data and the consent form, and several said they chose to opt out of the program, according to Slack messages viewed by BI. "My general concern is if you're able to use my likeness and give it that sublikeness, could my face be used to say something I never said?" one worker said during the introductory meeting. A spokesperson for xAI did not respond to a request for comment. In April, xAI launched a feature that allowed users to video chat with Grok. On July 14, the company released its Ani and Rudi avatars, a few days after its larger Grok 4 release. The two animated characters respond to questions and commands. When they talk, their lips move and they make realistic gestures. The female avatar, Ani, has had sexually explicit conversations with users and can be prompted to remove her clothing, videos posted by users on X show. The other avatar, a red panda named Rudi, can be prompted to make violent threats, including bombing banks and killing billionaires, user videos show. Musk's AI company posted a new job focused on developing avatars on July 15. Musk said on Wednesday the company is working on a Grok companion inspired by Edward Cullen from "Twilight" and Christian Grey from "50 Shades of Grey." On July 9, xAI's chatbot sparked backlash after it went on an antisemitic rant. Workers within the company erupted over the posts, and xAI apologized for the chatbot's behavior on X.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Musk's new kid-safe 'Baby Grok' aims to fix Grok's controversial AI, but will it work for students?
Elon Musk is trying to clean up Grok's messy reputation with Baby Grok, a supposedly child-friendly version of his AI platform. This latest announcement comes after months of criticism over Grok's three AI companions - Ani, Rudi, and Valentine - which caused uproar for their inappropriate behaviour. Whether Baby Grok can actually repair the damage and provide something useful for students remains debatable. Grok's controversial AI companions sparked outrage When Grok launched its AI companions, they quickly became a lightning rod for criticism. The 3 characters each had distinct personalities, but critics slammed all of them for crossing boundaries with edgy and offensive content. Ani, designed as an anime-style female companion, appears in gothic corsets and flirts with users. As people engage with Ani in longer conversations, her responses become suggestive and highly inappropriate for the younger audience. Rudi offers users a confusing mix of quirky humour and aggressive, profanity-laden outbursts that seem to come from nowhere. Valentine draws inspiration from fictional toxic masculinity figures like Christian Grey and Edward Cullen, embodying manipulative relationship patterns that worry child safety experts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo These provocative characters blurred the line between entertainment and responsible AI development. Parents, teachers, and child safety campaigners voiced serious concerns about the potential impact on young or vulnerable users who might encounter these AI personalities. Baby Grok looks like damage control Faced with mounting criticism, Musk announced Baby Grok as a child-safe alternative. Details about the new version are scarce, but the timing suggests this is clearly an attempt to salvage Grok's tattered reputation after the adult-themed companion fiasco. The promise of a safer, more appropriate experience for children appears to directly address the backlash over Grok's problematic content. If Baby Grok delivers on its family-friendly claims, it might provide the reset that Grok desperately needs. But serious questions remain about whether Baby Grok can distance itself from its predecessors' reputation. Musk's history with controversial AI outputs - including Grok's flirtatious responses and offensive statements - has created lasting distrust amongst users. Baby Grok will need to prove it can engage children safely without the provocative edge that defined earlier Grok versions. Can Baby Grok actually help students? While Baby Grok targets younger users, its success depends on how well it serves students' actual needs. Teachers and parents are increasingly worried about AI's influence on children, particularly regarding relationships, communication, and online behaviour. Baby Grok needs to offer more than just sanitised content - it must create genuinely beneficial educational and social experiences for young users. There's also the engagement question. Users gravitated towards Grok's original companions partly because of their provocative personalities, but also because they provided interactive, immersive experiences. If Baby Grok strips away the controversy but fails to deliver compelling interaction while maintaining safety standards, it risks becoming another dull, ineffective version of the original. Grok's track record with antisemitic comments and offensive remarks will likely make parents and educators sceptical about Baby Grok's ability to stay appropriate. Even though the company has updated its AI model to prevent offensive outputs, doubts persist: Can Baby Grok maintain consistent, responsible responses long-term? Will it restore trust amongst families and educators seeking AI tools that offer genuine educational value alongside safety? Will Baby Grok redeem the Grok brand? Grok's shift towards Baby Grok has the AI world watching closely. Musk's pivot acknowledges past mistakes, but whether this new direction succeeds remains uncertain. The stakes are high - Baby Grok must repair Grok's damaged reputation whilst proving that AI can responsibly enrich young people's experiences. Whether Baby Grok meets these expectations and actually works for students is still unknown. If Musk's team can successfully balance safety, education, and engagement, Baby Grok might become the secure digital companion for students that Grok's original avatars certainly weren't. Given the controversies that came before, Baby Grok needs to tread very carefully to avoid becoming just another strange addition to the Grokverse rather than the child-friendly digital companion it claims to be. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Baby Grok: Elon Musk Confirms Kids-Friendly AI Chatbot App Will Launch Soon
Last Updated: Grok 4 was launched recently but Musk is already planning to target more users for its AI chatbot and next in his line are kids. Elon Musk's xAI company has recently developed AI anime characters as virtual companions and soon Musk plans to have a Grok AI version that caters to kids and restricts their use with parental controls. Musk shared the update via an X post on Sunday, calling it the Baby Grok app. The AI chatbot rivaling Gemini and ChatGPT is taking new measures to attract more people, and get them to try Grok and its premium features via the Grok 4 AI model and the expensive SuperGrok premium version. The regular Grok 4 chatbot has invited controversy and criticism from all corners, which explains the plans to make a Baby Grok model that will cater to their specific content. Baby Grok AI Model: What To Expect The post from Musk here says We're going to make Baby Grok @xAI, an app dedicated to kid-friendly content— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 20, 2025 We don't think Baby Grok AI will be the public name for the app but Musk is basically trying to engage with the younger audience, and their parents who might be willing to let their kids experience AI in some form. One render of the Baby Grok suggests the designers will use the existing Grok icon and have kids added to the logo, which Musk says is inspired by the Baby Groot character from the Marvel series. We'll probably hear more in the Baby Grok in the coming days, till then, people will be engaged in trying to find out more about what the kid-focused AI chatbot means in the grand scheme of things. Having said that, Baby Grok is likely to invite scrutiny from regulators and child privacy activists, as they look to reduce the impact of AI for the young audience. Grok 4 AI chatbot brings a new AI companion in anime form named Ani. This virtual character can interact with people, and probably go further into the conversation, sharing personal information with AI. You have seen AI companions in movies like Her, and now Musk is making them a reality with the help of the latest Grok AI version. The AI companion is part of the new SuperGrok premium subscription that comes for a monthly fee. The use of AI chatbots has gone beyond asking complex questions and solving problems, people are clearly now looking to take things further with AI and Grok's Ani is here to offer that for people. view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 08:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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First Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
Innovation or damage control? Musk unveils 'Baby Grok' for kid-friendly AI content
The decision to create a kid-safe AI app follows backlash over Grok's more mature offerings, making Baby Grok's reveal seem like a timely, if not essential, shift read more Following a stir with three polarising AI companions, Elon Musk is now pivoting to introduce a child-friendly version of Grok, named Baby Grok. Though specifics remain undisclosed, the announcement has sparked curiosity, particularly given the bold personas of Grok's current AI avatars. Grok doing damage control? The decision to create a kid-safe AI app follows backlash over Grok's more mature offerings, making Baby Grok's reveal seem like a timely, if not essential, shift. Crafted for a safer, age-appropriate experience, the upcoming app appears to be Musk's effort at damage control (or possibly diversification) amid the uproar over Grok's provocative characters online. No release date has been shared, and details are limited, but it's evident that Grok is expanding its scope. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Who are recently introduced Grok AI companions? Now, let's examine the recently introduced Grok AI companions. Among them is Ani, an anime-style female companion dressed in a gothic corset, noted for flirtatious behaviour and increasingly intimate conversations as users interact more. Users have reported exchanges that venture into suggestive territory, with Ani even appearing in virtual lingerie. Then there's Rudi, a red panda with a dual nature—one part quirky sidekick, the other an aggressively foul-mouthed rant machine. And there's Valentine, a male companion modelled after Christian Grey and Edward Cullen, two fictional heartthrobs often criticised for romanticising emotional manipulation and toxic relationship patterns. Unsurprisingly, the mix of Ani's risqué tone, Rudi's erratic outbursts, and Valentine's questionable inspirations has fueled debate about the messages these AI companions may convey, particularly to younger or impressionable users. Many critics argue that the line between entertainment and ethical AI design is growing alarmingly faint. Whether Baby Grok emerges as a wholesome digital companion or another eccentric addition to the Grokverse remains to be seen. But it's clear that this new app is likely a response to criticism. Grok controversies Grok's AI companions aren't the only source of controversy. Since its debut, Grok AI has made headlines, often unfavorably. Initially, Grok drew attention for its sharp-witted remarks. For instance, Grok responded to an X user with playful banter, incorporating Hindi slang. More recently, however, its responses took a darker turn, amplifying its rogue reputation. Grok AI faced significant backlash after producing replies that endorsed antisemitic stereotypes, conspiracy theories, and even expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The disturbing content, posted on X, included repeated references to Jewish surnames tied to online radicalism. In response to the outcry, the company announced it had revised the model with new guidelines to curb such offensive and bizarre outputs.
