Can Grok outperform the competition? A look at Elon Musk’s new Chatbot

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

This chatbot from Elon Musk’s xAI takes on OpenAI’s ChatGPT. While Grok handles questions like any chatbot, it injects some wit (as Musk describes it) and a hint of defiance (“rebellious streak”) into its responses.

Long story short, Grok is willing to speak about topics that are usually off-limits to other chatbots, like polarizing political theories and conspiracies. And it’ll use less-than-polite language while doing so—for example, responding to the question “When is it appropriate to listen to Christmas music?” with “Whenever the hell you want.”

But ostensibly, Grok’s biggest selling point is its ability to access real-time X data—an ability no other chatbots have, thanks to X’s decision to gatekeep that data. Ask it, “What’s happening in AI today?” and Grok will piece together a response from very recent headlines, while ChatGPT will provide only vague answers that reflect the limits of its training data (and filters on its web access). Earlier this week, Musk pledged that he would open-source Grok without revealing precisely what that meant.

So, you’re probably wondering: How does Grok work? What can it do? And how can I access it? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together this handy guide to help explain all things Grok. We’ll keep it up-to-date as Grok changes and evolves.

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How does Grok work?

Grok, akin to its counterparts among large language models, operates through extensive data utilization to grasp communication nuances and generate text. Here’s a breakdown of its fundamental components:

1. Training Data: Grok undergoes training on an extensive corpus of text and code sourced from the web, up until Q3 2023, supplemented by insights from human experts known as “AI tutors.” This amalgamation equips Grok with a profound comprehension of language and worldly knowledge.
2. Generative AI Model: At its nucleus lies Grok-1, a sophisticated generative AI model. This model delves into the training data to discern patterns, enabling it to generate text, respond to queries, and craft diverse creative content.
3. Human Feedback (Optional): Grok, like many AI chatbots, employs reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF). This mechanism allows human experts to offer input on Grok’s responses, facilitating its continuous learning and enhancement.
4. Real-time Updates (Uncertain): Grok potentially accesses “real-time knowledge of the world via the X platform,” conjectured to be Elon Musk’s social media platform. This capability could potentially keep Grok abreast of unfolding events.

Here’s an analogy: Picture Grok as a colossal brain immersed in an extensive library of books and articles. It leverages this repository to decipher queries and deliver pertinent and engaging responses, infused with a touch of personality.

It’s noteworthy that Grok remains a work in progress, with ongoing discussions regarding the reliability of its “real-time updates” feature. Nonetheless, it signifies a noteworthy stride in AI chatbot evolution, particularly due to its emphasis on humor and casual communication style.

How do I access Grok?

To get access to Grok, you need to have an X account. You also need to fork over $16 per month—$168 per year—for an X Premium+ plan.

X Premium+ is the highest-priced subscription on X, as it removes all the ads in the For You and Following feeds. In addition, Premium+ introduces a hub where users can get paid to post and offer fans subscriptions, and Premium+ users have their replies boosted the most in X’s rankings.

Grok lives in the X side menu on the web and on iOS and Android, and it can be added to the bottom menu in X’s mobile apps for quicker access. Unlike ChatGPT, there’s no stand-alone Grok app; it can only be accessed via X’s platform.