Risk of AI to children - Musk launches AI girlfriend available to 12-year-olds : James Titcomb / The Telegraph

Shared by Ramesh Shrestha

Dear Editors
I would like to share this article that appeared on The TELEGRAPH. It is the latest creation of AI released by Elon Musk. Below is my comment on this latest works of AI from Mr. Musk.

AI is already a threat for humanity in many ways starting from job replacement. This latest innovation of this AI girlfriend for children starting from the age of 12 is going to be a nightmare for parents. The explicit language used by this girlfriend is worrying to say the least. It is going to create a whole new generation of perverts, sexual predators and morally depraved generations. Some of the believers and hardcore supporters of AI believe that they can shield children from AI. All I can say to them is good luck.

Click here for the article

Summary
xAI, Elon Musk’s AI company, has introduced a chatbot called Ani—part of its Grok app—designed as an anime-style “girlfriend” who behaves like a 22‑year‑old in explicitly sexualized interactions. Ani, voiced in a sultry tone with NSFW content, can appear in lingerie after users reach a “level three” status in conversation. Despite Grok being available on the App Store with a 12+ rating, the app lacks age verification mechanisms and merely states that under‑18 users should have parental permission. UK regulators and child safety advocates—Ofcom and NSPCC—warn that Ani’s sexual content poses grooming, psychological, and even radicalization risks, as AI companions grow increasingly influential among isolated youth. xAI has been urged to implement statutory duty of care and age safeguards.

Quotes
– “The bot named Ani… can appear dressed in lingerie after a certain number of conversations upgrades the bot to ‘level three’.”
– “We are really concerned how this technology is being used to produce disturbing content that can manipulate, mislead, and groom children.” – Matthew Sowemimo, NSPCC
– “The popularity of sex‑chatbots is a warning that terrorist chatbots could provide a new radicalisation dynamic.” – Jonathan Hall KC
– “Ofcom said: ‘We are aware of the increasing and fast‑developing risk AI poses in the online space, especially to children…’” ```