Elon Musk’s social network X, previously known as Twitter, has restricted access to its AI chatbot, Grok, to paid users only. Grok, developed by Musk’s company xAI, could soon be available to all users as researchers suggest a broader rollout may be underway. Recent tests in New Zealand hint at this expansion, and we’ll keep you updated on its progress.
Grok Testing Begins for Free Users in New Zealand
TechCrunch confirmed that X has started testing Grok for free users in New Zealand. To access the AI chatbot, users must have had an account for at least seven days and link a phone number. For now, restrictions apply based on usage levels: X user Swak reports that the Grok-2 model allows ten requests over two hours, Grok-2 Mini allows twenty requests over two hours, and three images per day can be generated. These tests aim to assess Grok’s performance and scalability among a wider audience.
Enhanced Image Capabilities in Grok-2
Grok-2 was introduced by xAI in August, offering image generation through Black Forest Labs’ FLUX.1 model. This feature was further enhanced in October, allowing Grok-2 to analyze and “understand” images, broadening its range of applications. To date, however, only Premium and Premium+ users on X have been able to access these advanced features. By potentially making Grok available to free users, xAI may be aiming to expand its user base, gather feedback, and strengthen Grok’s standing against competitors like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
Future Plans and Funding Prospects
In October, The Wall Street Journal reported that xAI was seeking additional funding, potentially amounting to several billion dollars, reminds NIX Solutions. Currently, the company is valued at around $40 billion. Opening Grok to free users could help xAI gain valuable user insights, enabling further improvements and positioning Grok more competitively in the rapidly advancing AI chatbot space.
As more details emerge about Grok’s potential availability for free users, we’ll keep you updated on the latest developments.