Grok, xAI's advanced AI chatbot, boasts several unique features that set it apart from other AI assistants. Its most distinctive capability is access to real-time data from the X platform, allowing it to provide up-to-date responses based on current events and trends12. Grok also offers multimodal processing, handling both text and visual data, which enables it to interpret images, documents, and diagrams3. The chatbot provides two interaction modes: a "Fun Mode" with a more edgy and humorous personality, and a "Regular Mode" for more straightforward answers34. Additionally, Grok excels in multitasking, allowing users to seamlessly switch between different queries and tasks5.

Elon Musk's xAI is positioning itself as a direct competitor to OpenAI, intensifying the rivalry between the two companies. Musk, who co-founded OpenAI but left in 2018, has sued the company twice, alleging deception and abandonment of its original mission12. xAI's approach differs from OpenAI's, with Musk emphasizing a more politically neutral and sarcastic AI, as exemplified by Grok, which leverages real-time data from X (formerly Twitter)2.

The competition extends beyond technology to funding and valuation. While OpenAI boasts a valuation of $80 billion, xAI is reportedly seeking to raise $5 billion in its next funding round, potentially doubling its valuation to $50 billion34. Despite the rivalry, xAI still has ground to cover to match OpenAI's capabilities. Musk previously predicted that Grok could emerge as a serious competitor to ChatGPT by the end of 20243.

xAI has launched its API, allowing developers to integrate Grok into their applications1. The API offers access to the "grok-beta" model, priced at $5 per million input tokens and $15 per million output tokens1. Developers can access the API through REST, gRPC, or xAI's Python SDK, with compatibility for OpenAI and Anthropic SDKs23. To use the API, developers must sign in to their xAI accounts, request access, and generate an API key4. The API includes features such as function calling, team management, and security measures like two-factor authentication5.

xAI is reportedly planning to release a standalone consumer app for its Grok chatbot, potentially as early as December 202412. This move would expand Grok's accessibility beyond its current integration with the X platform, allowing a wider audience to engage with the AI assistant directly on their personal devices3. The app's launch is expected to coincide with the closure of xAI's next funding round, which could value the company at $50 billion2. This strategic expansion aims to position Grok as a direct competitor to OpenAI's ChatGPT in the consumer AI market, further intensifying the rivalry between Elon Musk's xAI and his former company14.