Elon Musk's xAI company has finally delivered on its August promise, officially launching the API interface for its flagship AI model, Grok. However, this long-awaited API version appears to be somewhat rushed and basic.
Currently, the xAI API offers only one model named "grok-beta." In terms of pricing, input tokens are charged at $5 per million tokens (approximately 750,000 words), while output tokens are priced at $15 per million tokens. It's important to note that tokens refer to the basic units into which raw data is subdivided, similar to breaking down "fantastic" into "fan," "tas," and "tic" syllables.
Interestingly, it is currently unclear which version of the Grok model "grok-beta" specifically corresponds to. Although the latest version on the X platform is Grok2, the API documentation also mentions Grok2 and the lightweight economic version Grok mini, which may be due to technical uncertainties. Several X users have reported encountering issues when paying for usage quotas.
In terms of functionality, the xAI API supports function calls, allowing the Grok model to interface with external tools such as databases and search engines. The API documentation also hints at future plans to introduce a visual model capable of text and image analysis, although this feature is not yet live.
Since its establishment last year, xAI has developed rapidly. The company has moved into OpenAI's former offices and has made the first Grok model available to X Premium+ users who pay a monthly fee of $16. Musk describes Grok as an AI with "rebellious traits," willing to answer "spicy questions" that other AI systems typically avoid. For example, when asked to use vulgar language, Grok will readily employ profanity and slang that ChatGPT would never use.
Grok is gradually being deeply integrated into the X platform. Through collaboration with the open-source image generator Flux, Grok can now generate images on X (notably, this feature has no restrictions). It can also summarize news and hot events (although errors frequently occur), and may enhance X's search functionality, account profiles, post analysis, and reply features in the future.
In the AI race against OpenAI and Anthropic, xAI is catching up. In May this year, the company secured $6 billion in funding led by institutions such as Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and Fidelity Investments. Musk frequently emphasizes that X platform's data provides xAI with a unique advantage over its competitors. This month, X updated its privacy policy to allow third parties, including xAI, to use X posts for model training.
In xAI's funding plan, the company outlines a grand vision: its models will be trained using data from Musk's Tesla, SpaceX, and The Boring Company, and in turn, these models can improve the technologies of those companies. However, Tesla's shareholders do not agree with this plan, with some suing Musk for diverting talent and resources from Tesla to this new project, which is essentially in competition with it.
This summer, Musk revealed that xAI was training a new generation of Grok models at the Memphis data center. However, the data center has been accused of exacerbating local smog issues by using unauthorized turbines. The company plans to upgrade the data center next year, pending approval from the Tennessee Valley Authority.
