X Explores Broader Access to Its Grok AI Chatbot

X developing a freemium model for its Grok AI chatbot, potentially expanding access to all users, according to recent reports. Currently, Grok is exclusively available to X Premium subscribers, representing a limited 0.26% of X’s total user base (approximately 1.3 million paying subscribers). A freemium version would allow non-paying users to try Grok, enabling X to assess its wider appeal and potential impact.

The proposed free version, likely limited in functionality compared to Premium access, aligns with X Corp’s broader strategy to enhance the platform’s AI capabilities. Making Grok more accessible may attract additional X Premium subscribers who are impressed by the “demo version”, and provide valuable user insights on generative AI interactions within the platform.

A successful roll-out of Grok’s freemium model could also support xAI’s funding and development. Musk’s xAI has raised $6 billion to date, with a portion of this funding intended to integrate and develop AI tools for X. xAI’s performance and impact on X’s ecosystem could improve X Corp’s revenue outlook, as both entities remain closely linked.

However, like any broader AI release, there could be both legal and ethical issues involved depending on how Grok is trained and used. At the moment, the exclusivity means that only users with an interest in X are likely to use the chatbot – but it’s hard to predict what will happen when opened to the whole audience of one of the world’s largest social media platforms.