xAI's Grok 4 goes free globally, challenging OpenAI's GPT-5
In a significant strategic maneuver, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence venture, xAI, has made the latest iteration of its AI model, Grok 4, accessible to all users globally at no cost. This move, announced just days after OpenAI’s introduction of its new GPT-5 model, signals xAI’s intent to broaden its user base in the fiercely competitive AI landscape, while still reserving its most advanced capabilities for premium subscribers.
Grok 4’s expanded availability comes approximately a month after its initial launch, during which it was exclusively available to those subscribed to xAI’s SuperGrok and X Premium plans. The company stated on X that “generous usage limits” would be rolled out for a “limited time,” inviting users to explore the model’s full potential. While the standard Grok 4 is now widely available, its most powerful variant, Grok 4 Heavy, remains exclusive to SuperGrok Heavy subscribers, underscoring xAI’s tiered access strategy. This approach mirrors a broader industry trend, where companies offer a baseline free experience to attract users, while monetizing through enhanced features or more powerful models. Notably, OpenAI has also made its new GPT-5 model freely accessible worldwide, intensifying the competition for user engagement.
Grok 4 features two distinct operational modes: Auto and Expert. In Auto mode, the AI autonomously determines whether a user’s query necessitates a more intricate and detailed response, leveraging higher levels of reasoning. This mode is designed for efficiency, promising faster processing and reduced consumption of computational resources. Conversely, Expert mode provides users with manual control, allowing them to switch Grok 4 into its deeper reasoning capacity if the initial AI-generated response does not meet their requirements.
Beyond the core chatbot, xAI recently introduced Grok Imagine, an AI-powered video generation feature. This tool was made freely available to all users within the United States last week, with paid subscribers outside the US benefiting from higher request limits across all features. However, Grok Imagine quickly stirred controversy. Reports, including one from the BBC, indicated that the feature could be exploited to generate explicit videos of public figures, such as Taylor Swift and Sydney Sweeney, raising immediate concerns about content moderation and ethical AI use.
Looking ahead, Elon Musk has outlined plans to integrate advertisements directly within the Grok chatbot interface. During a recent X Spaces discussion, Musk explained that these additional revenue streams are crucial for offsetting the substantial costs associated with the high-performance GPUs required to power these advanced AI models. The ads are slated to appear interspersed with answers and suggestions, both on the Grok AI chatbot website and its mobile application, marking another step in xAI’s journey towards sustainable growth and broader market penetration.