X Releases Grok Chatbot to the Public

X has rolled out its AI chatbot, Grok, to all users, expanding access beyond its previous limitation to X Premium subscribers. Grok, part of Elon Musk’s broader vision for a “non-woke” AI tool, allows users to ask questions, generate images via X’s Aurora integration, analyze posts for deeper context, and craft sassy replies using its “Unhinged Fun” mode.

X is far from the only platform to make AI publicly available to its users, although Grok was heavily restricted to being a Premium feature until this change went through. Companies like Meta and LinkedIn have similarly embraced AI, embedding chatbots and other generative functionalities into their platforms to enhance user experiences. However, the actual utility of these tools within social apps remains a topic of debate.

Social media has traditionally centered on fostering genuine human interaction. Critics argue that the inclusion of AI-generated posts or conversations risks diluting this core principle. Instead of amplifying authentic voices, these tools might promote interactions that lack personal context or connection. There is also the fact that Grok, like many chatbots, is only as reliable as the dataset that it has been trained on and the information that it is fed.

On the other hand, supporters see potential in niche applications, such as using Grok to analyze trending topics or identify engagement patterns on X. The inclusion of an accessible AI on such a widespread social media platform could provide valuable insights into how useful AI truly is for many users – and may also provide a number of benefits to dedicated X users.