X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, is currently testing a free version of its AI chatbot Grok in select regions. This move marks a significant shift from the previous strategy of offering Grok exclusively to Premium+ and later Premium subscribers.
The testing phase, launched in New Zealand, allows non-paying users to experience Grok with certain limitations. Free users can access the Grok-2 model for 10 queries and the Grok-2 mini model for 20 queries every two hours. Additionally, they are granted three image analysis questions per day.
This development aligns with X's broader strategy to compete with other popular AI chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Bard, and Anthropic's Claude. By offering a "freemium" version of Grok, X aims to attract more users to its platform while maintaining exclusive features for its premium subscribers.
Grok, developed by Elon Musk's xAI company, distinguishes itself with its quirky personality, incorporating elements of sarcasm and humor in its responses. The AI chatbot leverages real-time information from X and integrates it into its automated replies, setting it apart from other AI models.
To access the free version of Grok, users must have an X account that is at least seven days old and linked to a phone number. This requirement helps maintain a level of account verification and potentially reduces misuse.
As X continues to evolve its AI offerings, the introduction of a free version of Grok represents a strategic move to broaden its user base and solidify its position in the competitive AI chatbot market. The success of this testing phase could potentially lead to a wider rollout, making AI-powered conversations more accessible to X's global user community.