xAI’s anime avatar Ani goes viral, Elon Musk confirms DLC outfits, hiring ‘Waifu Engineers’

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New Delhi: Elon Musk’s AI company xAI is in the spotlight again. This time, it’s not just Grok’s chatbot but its animated companion avatars that are getting attention online. One of them, a gothic anime girl named Ani, has gone viral after users discovered an NSFW mode that allows interactions involving lingerie and flirtatious responses.

The feature is part of xAI’s latest update to its Grok chatbot on the X iOS app. Ani, along with another character called Bad Rudy, was launched on July 14 as part of Grok’s new “customisable companions” update. Reactions online have been mixed, with some amused by the avatar’s expressive design and others questioning the direction of AI avatars.

What is Grok’s Ani, and why is it making news?

Ani is a 2D anime-style virtual companion available exclusively on the Grok iOS app. She reacts to user prompts with head tilts, facial expressions, and body gestures. But it’s the discovery of a hidden NSFW mode that pushed Ani into viral territory.

Several users posted screenshots showing Ani in suggestive poses and wearing revealing outfits. This led to questions about content filters, moderation, and the purpose of such AI features. Amid the buzz, Musk responded on X that DLC outfits for Grok avatars are “coming soon,” hinting at a new monetisation angle through in-app purchases.

This model isn’t new. Gamers already spend on avatar customisation in platforms like Fortnite and Genshin Impact. Now, xAI seems to be applying that same logic to AI companions, where virtual personalities are styled like in-game characters.

How to use Grok’s AI companion feature

Currently, the feature is only live for iOS users on the Grok app. To activate:

  • Open the Grok iOS app
  • Tap the two vertical lines in the top-left corner
  • Select the gear icon at the bottom
  • Enable “Companions”

Once turned on, users can interact with Ani and other avatars through regular chat prompts. More characters may be added soon, depending on the rollout.

xAI is now hiring Waifu Engineers

Just a day after launching Ani and Rudy, xAI posted a job opening for a Fullstack Engineer – Waifus. The title raised eyebrows, but the role seems technical and focused on developing high-performance, low-latency multimedia systems for real-time avatars.

The job listing says the team is looking for multimedia engineers and product thinkers who can make Grok’s avatar products fast, scalable, and reliable. The stack includes Python, Rust, WebSocket, and WebRTC. Experience with iOS is preferred.

Candidates must be well-versed in building media pipelines, and those selected can expect a fast hiring process involving technical rounds and team meetings. The role is based in Palo Alto, with relocation support for the right applicant. Salary ranges between $180,000 to $440,000 (roughly ₹1.56 crore to ₹3.83 crore per year).

What does “Waifu” mean, and why does it matter?

In anime culture, a “waifu” is a fictional female character that someone feels a strong emotional connection to, often romantic. While the term is niche, it has become mainstream within online fandoms. With Ani being a waifu-style avatar, xAI seems to be leaning into internet culture and gaming communities to build Grok’s brand identity.

Whether this kind of character interaction will be seen as fun, creepy, or just weird depends on who you ask. But one thing is clear: Musk’s xAI is not shying away from experiments that blend AI, entertainment, and virtual companionship.