Elon Musk’s xAI plans to launch a standalone app for its Grok chatbot as early as December 2024, competing directly with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Launched to provide an alternative to OpenAI, xAI has made significant strides in the AI sector, now set to broaden its user base.
xAI plans standalone Grok app launch by December 2024
Currently, Grok is accessible only to subscribers of the X platform, which was formerly known as Twitter. Reports indicate that the upcoming app will expand access beyond current limitations, facilitating competition with existing AI services like Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude. According to The Wall Street Journal, this move aligns with Musk’s goal of presenting Grok AI as a credible product in the crowded AI marketplace.
The xAI team has been busy implementing new capabilities into Grok’s architecture, including a function-calling feature and an application programming interface (API) aimed at developers. This recent API introduction suggests a strategic push to engage developers by offering incentives such as free tokens. By doing so, xAI seeks to cultivate a broader ecosystem that incorporates Grok’s functionalities into other applications.
The report outlines that the standalone app may also include a free version of the AI model, likely coinciding with the app’s launch. This would provide an opportunity for users who are hesitant to commit to a subscription service. However, several key features are currently lacking in Grok that are fundamental to its competitors. Notably, Grok does not yet offer native image generation, voice support, or advanced agentic AI capabilities, which have become standard offerings from major players in the AI field.
Should you use Grok or Venice AI?
Musk’s intention with xAI appears to be focused on creating diverse revenue streams through its AI initiatives. Competing with established tools like ChatGPT presents both challenges and opportunities, underscoring the urgency behind the app’s development. It is still unclear how quickly xAI can bridge the feature gap with its competitors as it prepares for this launch, but investigations into its development progress suggest a determined effort from the xAI team.
Reports indicate that xAI is also contributing its technology to enhance customer support for Musk’s Starlink service, adding another layer to its business integration. The move into standalone applications represents a broader trend within the AI landscape as companies race to launch independently operated products to meet increasing demand from users.
Featured image credit: x.ai
