In August, Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, promised to launch an API for a generative AI model named Grok. That promise has now been fulfilled, albeit with a relatively simple API.
Currently, xAI's API offers only one model, "grok-beta," priced at $5 per million input tokens (approximately 750,000 words) or $15 per million output tokens. Tokens are essentially segments of raw data, such as the word "fantastic" being broken down into "fan," "tas," and "tic."
It is unclear which specific Grok model "g-beta" refers to. The latest Grok2 model is already on the X platform, and the API documentation mentions Grok mini, a lightweight version of Grok, which may still require some technical adjustments.
Additionally, some users on the X platform have reported issues when purchasing usage credits.
xAI's API supports function calls, meaning the Grok model can connect to external tools such as databases and search engines. Although these features do not seem to be live yet, the documentation suggests that future support for visual models to analyze text and images is planned.
xAI was founded last year and recently moved into OpenAI's old office, launching the Grok model for X's Premium + users, who pay $16 per month. Musk described Grok as having a "rebellious nature," capable of answering questions that other AI systems avoid. For example, when asked to be vulgar, Grok responds without hesitation, even using some coarse language, contrasting sharply with Chat.
Grok is gradually integrating into various functions of the X platform, capable of generating images, summarizing news and trending events, albeit with occasional errors. In the future, it may enhance X's search capabilities, account profiles, post analysis, and reply functions.
Currently, xAI is striving to catch up with strong competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic. In May, xAI successfully raised $6 billion, with major investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and Fidelity Investments. Musk believes that data from the X platform will give xAI a significant competitive advantage, and X recently amended its privacy policy to allow third parties, including xAI, to train models on X posts.
During the fundraising, xAI outlined a vision to train its models on data from Musk's various companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, and Boring Company, to enhance these companies' technologies. Although Tesla's shareholders disagree, seeing it as a distraction of resources and talent, Musk remains convinced of its potential.
Furthermore, xAI is training the next-generation Grok model at its Memphis data center, which has been criticized for unauthorized turbines exacerbating smog issues. The company hopes to upgrade the data center next year, pending approval from the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Key Points:
- 🚀 xAI's API has officially launched, but its current functionality is quite simple, supporting only the "grok-beta" model.
- 💰 Users have reported issues when purchasing usage credits, and the API has not fully launched all functionalities.
- 🧠 Musk plans to use data from the X platform to train AI models, aiming to enhance the technology levels of various companies, despite shareholder skepticism.