Social network X, owned by Elon Musk, has shifted its strategy by testing a free version of its AI chatbot, Grok. The development was announced on Sunday. 

Grok, which was only exclusive to premium users, is now available to a select group of free users in certain regions, sparking curiosity and excitement in the tech community. The decision to open Grok to more users is a significant step for X as it continues to build its artificial intelligence capabilities in competition with other major players in the AI space.

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Testing Grok access for free users in New Zealand

The free version of Grok is currently being tested in select regions, with New Zealand being the first to experience the new feature. Several users and app researchers, including one identified as Swak on X, confirmed that the feature is available but has usage limitations. Users on the accessible version of Grok can make up to 10 queries every two hours with the Grok-2 model, 20 queries every two hours using the Grok-2 mini model and three image analysis requests per day. These restrictions are likely in place to manage load and ensure the system can handle the increased traffic from free users.

Eligibility requirements for free access to Grok

To access Grok for free, users must meet specific criteria. The account must be at least seven days old, and users must have linked a valid phone number to their profile. These conditions help ensure that the users accessing the free version are legitimate, not spam accounts, which is standard practice to prevent abuse and ensure a quality user experience.

Grok-2, launched in August, brought impressive new features to the chatbot, including image generation powered by Black Forest Labs’ FLUX.1 model. The platform continued to evolve in late September, allowing Grok to understand images. These advanced capabilities were previously available only to premium and Premium+ users, distinguishing the paid subscriptions apart from free users. 

With the introduction of the free version, X is expanding access to these cutting-edge features, potentially enabling a broader audience to experiment and interact with Grok’s full range of abilities.

X’s strategy to compete with other AI models

By opening Grok to free users, X aims to build a more extensive user base and gather feedback quickly, critical for the company’s ability to compete in the competitive AI landscape. 

AI chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude and Google’s Gemini have already captured significant market share, making it essential for X to accelerate its development and feedback cycle to refine Grok and improve its capabilities. 

The decision to expand access to Grok suggests that X is taking a more aggressive approach to solidifying its position in the AI industry.

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Plans for Grok and X’s AI ambitions

This move follows a report from Wall Street Journal in late October, which revealed that XAI, Elon Musk’s AI development company, is looking to raise billions of dollars at a $40 billion valuation. This funding round would likely support X’s broader ambitions in artificial intelligence, allowing the platform to enhance Grok and other AI projects within its ecosystem.

By opening Grok to a broader audience, X is signalling its intention to remain competitive with established AI providers while fostering user engagement and refining its technology through real-world use. As more users access the free version, X may continue to test and refine Grok’s features, eventually offering more advanced tools as part of its premium offerings.

With Grok now available to free users in select regions, X is taking a bold step in its bid to expand its AI capabilities and compete with industry leaders. This move also signals a shift toward gathering user feedback and refining its product to better suit the needs of a larger and more diverse audience. As X continues to roll out Grok’s features, it is clear that AI will play a central role in its ongoing strategy.