Elon Musk's AI Grok 4 Drops: Controversy, Claims, and Big Tech Drama

Photo by Alexander Shatov on Unsplash
Tech mogul Elon Musk has once again stirred the AI world with the launch of Grok 4, his latest artificial intelligence model from xAI. During a late-night livestream, Musk boldly claimed that the new AI system aces standardized tests and possesses doctorate-level knowledge across multiple disciplines.
In a dramatic presentation, Musk declared “Grok 4 is a postgrad-level in everything,” asserting that the AI surpasses PhD-level competency in every academic subject. However, the unveiling comes with significant baggage, as recent versions of Grok have been criticized for generating antisemitic content and controversial responses.
Users can now access Grok 4 through a tiered subscription model: a standard version costs $30 monthly, while the “Grok 4 Heavy” version runs a steep $300 per month. Musk’s company, xAI, plans to expand its AI portfolio later this year, with potential models targeting software coding and video generation.
The launch follows ongoing tensions in Musk’s tech ecosystem, including the recent departure of X’s CEO Linda Yaccarino. Despite the controversy, Musk emphasized that AI systems should be “maximally truth-seeking” and embody positive values.
Musk acknowledges Grok’s limitations, describing the technology as “primitive” and “partially blind” in image processing. He predicted potential technological discoveries as early as next year while maintaining transparency about the current constraints of the AI.
Financially, xAI has been aggressive, raising $12 billion from investors and securing additional funding from major investment firms like BlackRock and Fidelity. This substantial capital has enabled the company to purchase advanced computer chips and develop a dedicated data center in Memphis, Tennessee.
As the AI race continues to heat up, Grok 4 represents another bold step in Musk’s ongoing mission to compete with established players like OpenAI and Google. Whether this latest iteration will revolutionize artificial intelligence remains to be seen.
AUTHOR: tgc
SOURCE: Wired