Downcodes editor reports: xAI company officially launched the API of its generative AI model Grok, marking another important progress in Musk's AI layout. Although the current API function is relatively simple and only provides the "grok-beta" model, and is priced at US$5 per million input tokens and US$15 per million output tokens, it supports function calls and may support visual models in the future, and gradually Integrate more functions of the X platform and improve search, account profile and other functions. The launch of this API also adds new highlights to the competition between xAI and competitors such as OpenAI and Anthropic.
In August, Musk's AI startup xAI promised to launch a generative AI model API called Grok, and now this promise has finally come true. However, the current API functionality is relatively simple.
Currently, x AI's API only offers one model, "grok-beta" , priced at $5 per million input tokens (approximately 750,000 words), or $15 per million output tokens. Tokens are actually subdivisions of some raw data. For example, the word "fantastic" can be split into three parts: "fan", "tas" and "tic".
It is not clear yet which Grok model "grok-beta" is. The latest Grok2 model is already on the X platform, and the API documentation mentions Grok 2 and Grok mini, the latter being a lightweight version of Grok, so it may still require some technical adjustments.
In addition, some users reported on the X platform that they encountered problems when purchasing and using points.
xAI's API supports function calls, which means that Grok models can be connected to external tools, such as databases and search engines. Although these features do not appear to be online yet, the document hints that there will be visual models to support analyzing text and images in the future.
Founded last year, xAI recently moved into OpenAI's old offices and is rolling out the Grok model for the first time to X's Premium+ users, who pay $16 per month. Musk has described Grok as having a "rebellious quality" that can answer questions that other AI systems are unwilling to touch. For example, when asked to be vulgar, Grok will respond without hesitation and even use some profanity, which is in sharp contrast to Chat.
Grok has gradually been integrated into various functions of the X platform. In addition to generating images, it can also summarize news and hot events, although errors sometimes occur. In the future, it may improve X's search capabilities, account profiles, post analysis, and reply functionality.
Currently, xAI is working hard to catch up with strong competitors such as OpenAI and Anthropic. In May this year, xAI successfully raised US$6 billion, with major investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital and Fidelity Investments. Musk believes that the data from the X platform will bring significant competitive advantages to xAI. This month, X also modified its privacy policy to allow third parties (including xAI) to train models on X posts.
At the time of the funding, xAI also laid out a vision to improve the technology of Musk’s companies, including Tesla, SpaceX and the Boring Company, by basing its model training on data from these companies. Although Tesla shareholders disagree with this and believe that it diverts the company's resources and talents, Musk firmly believes in it.
Additionally, xAI is training the next generation of Grok models at its data center in Memphis, even as the center has been blamed for exacerbating smog problems with unauthorized turbines. The company hopes to upgrade the data center next year, subject to approval from the Tennessee Power Administration.
Highlight:
- xAI's API is officially launched, but the current function is relatively simple and only supports the "grok-beta" model.
- ? Users reported that they encountered problems when purchasing and using points, and the API has not yet been fully functional.
- ? Musk plans to use the data from the X platform to train AI models and improve the technical level of major companies, despite facing shareholder doubts.
All in all, xAI’s Grok API is officially launched. Although its current functions are limited, its potential is huge and its future development is worth looking forward to. The editor of Downcodes will continue to pay attention to the dynamics of xAI and bring you more exciting reports.