Elon Musk is broadening access to Grok, his company’s artificial intelligence chatbot, by offering it to a wider audience of paying subscribers on X, his social media platform.
In a recent statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Musk announced his intention to grant Grok access to all premium subscribers of the platform, who currently pay $8 per month. Previously, access to Grok was limited to subscribers of the premium plus tier, priced at $16 per month, which also includes ad-free browsing features. Although Musk did not provide a specific release date for this expansion, it signifies a significant shift in accessibility.
This move appears to be another strategic step in Musk’s ongoing competition with AI companies, particularly OpenAI. Despite his longstanding support for artificial intelligence, Musk has also voiced concerns about its potential negative impacts.
In a notable legal development, Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in February, alleging breach of contract. He had originally co-founded OpenAI with the goal of creating an open-source, non-profit AI laboratory. However, the company has since evolved into a prominent player in the AI industry, charging $20 per month for access to its advanced ChatGPT technology.
In contrast, Musk has been heavily investing in Grok as part of his broader initiative known as xAI. Grok, integrated into Musk’s X social network, was acquired in 2022 for over $44 billion. Named after the term coined by sci-fi writer Robert Heinlein, “grok” signifies a deep understanding that becomes intrinsic to one’s being.
Musk envisions Grok as a philosophical rival to existing AI technologies, emphasizing its humor and political neutrality. However, early interactions with Grok have revealed instances where its responses diverge from Musk’s own viewpoints, prompting adjustments to align the chatbot more closely with perceived political neutrality.
Despite these challenges, Grok remains a key focus for Musk and X, with plans for further enhancements and subscription-based premium features in the pipeline.
