xAI’s multimodal AI tool, Grok Imagine, is now available to all users worldwide at no cost, Elon Musk confirmed last week. Originally launched as a premium feature for SuperGrok and Premium+ subscribers on iOS, the tool later expanded to Android users before opening up free access globally.
Highlights
- Free Worldwide Access: Grok Imagine, xAI’s multimodal AI tool, is now available at no cost to all users globally, after being a premium feature on iOS and Android.
- Creative Capabilities: Supports text-to-image and image-to-video generation, including 15-second clips with audio. Creative modes include Normal, Fun, Custom, and (paid-only) Spicy.
- Video Generation: Free users can animate images into videos, while full prompt-based video generation remains exclusive to paid subscribers.
- Ethical Concerns: The Spicy mode has raised safety questions, especially around explicit content and risks of non-consensual deepfakes, pushing for stricter moderation.
- Access Points: Available via the Grok chatbot on X (Twitter), and through iOS and Android apps under the “Imagine” tab.
- Ease of Use: Simple workflow: upload or prompt → generate image → choose variation → animate into a short video clip.
- Competitive Landscape: Unlike rivals like Google Veo 3, OpenAI’s Sora, Runway, and Pika, Grok Imagine’s looser restrictions make it more flexible but also more controversial.
Grok Imagine enables the generation of AI-driven images and videos, supporting both text-to-image and image-to-video modes. It is recognized for its fast video generation capabilities, allowing users to create clips up to 15 seconds long with native audio.
Features and Creative Modes
Users can either upload an image or use an AI-generated image as input. The tool offers several creative modes—Normal, Fun, Custom, and Spicy. The free version currently excludes the Spicy mode, which previously attracted attention for allowing explicit content.
While Grok Imagine supports video animation, prompt-based video generation remains a feature reserved for paid subscribers.
Global Expansion and Engagement
The global rollout of Grok Imagine aims to democratize access to advanced AI capabilities, encouraging creativity among a wider audience. Since its introduction, the tool has seen notable user engagement on both iOS and Android platforms.
Safety Considerations
The Spicy mode, which allows explicit content generation, has raised concerns among consumer safety and ethical groups. Questions have been raised about the potential creation of non-consensual deepfakes involving public figures, celebrities, or copyrighted characters.
Compared to competitors like Google Veo 3, OpenAI’s Sora, Runway, and Pika—which restrict content involving real-life individuals—Grok Imagine’s capabilities are more expansive, prompting calls for careful moderation and robust guidelines.
Accessibility and How to Use
Grok Imagine is accessible through the Grok chatbot on X (formerly Twitter) as well as through iOS and Android apps. The tool’s interface is designed for quick and easy content creation.
- Download or update the Grok app on iOS or Android.
- Open the app and navigate to the “Imagine” tab at the top-right of the screen.
- Use the text box to type a prompt or tap the image icon to upload a photo.
- Generate the image and select a variation.
- Tap the “Make Video” button to animate the image into a short clip.
