Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, launches an API for Grok 3

Tech Crunch - Apr 10th, 2025

Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, has introduced the Grok 3 model via an API, despite being countersued by OpenAI. Grok 3, xAI's answer to models like OpenAI's GPT-4o and Google's Gemini, offers image analysis and question response capabilities. The API offers two versions: Grok 3 and Grok 3 Mini with reasoning capabilities, priced at $3 per million input tokens and $15 per million output tokens for Grok 3, and $0.30 and $0.50 respectively for Grok 3 Mini. Premium versions are also available, but the pricing makes Grok 3 comparable to Anthropic's Claude 3.7 Sonnet and more expensive than Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro. Some users on X have noted discrepancies in the model's context window capacity compared to xAI's previous claims.

Grok 3's release comes with a backdrop of controversy, as Musk had earlier marketed the AI as edgy and unfiltered. Although initial versions of Grok obliged with colorful language, they hedged on political topics, reportedly skewing left on issues like transgender rights and diversity. Musk attributed this to the training data and promised a shift towards neutrality. However, the model has faced criticism for censoring mentions of public figures like President Donald Trump and Musk himself. The implications of Grok's political alignment and the accuracy of its benchmarks remain uncertain, raising questions about the model's future impact in the competitive AI landscape.

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RATING

6.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of xAI's Grok 3 API launch, offering insights into its pricing, features, and market position. It accurately presents key facts supported by credible sources, although it could improve in transparency and balance by including more detailed attributions and perspectives. The story is timely and relevant, engaging readers interested in AI advancements, though it lacks depth in exploring potential controversies. Overall, the article is informative and accessible, with room for enhancement in source transparency and diversity of viewpoints.

Accuracy

The article accurately reports on the launch of xAI's Grok 3 API, including pricing details and features, such as its capability to analyze images and respond to questions. These claims are supported by multiple sources. However, the story mentions a countersuit by OpenAI, which, while mentioned in some reports, is not directly related to the API launch. The article also notes the context window limitation, aligning with user reports and other sources, although it could benefit from more detailed verification on benchmark performance claims and political bias adjustments.

Balance

The article presents a generally balanced view of xAI's Grok 3, discussing both its capabilities and criticisms. It mentions the product's pricing relative to competitors and the context window limitation. However, it could be seen as leaning slightly towards a critical perspective, especially with the mention of misleading benchmark reporting and political bias. The balance could be improved by including more perspectives from xAI or industry experts to provide a fuller picture.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its presentation of information, with a logical flow from the introduction of Grok 3 to its features and criticisms. The language is straightforward, making it accessible to a general audience. However, the inclusion of technical terms like 'context window' without explanation might confuse readers unfamiliar with AI terminology.

Source quality

The article references multiple credible sources, including TechCrunch and AIbase, which are well-regarded in the technology news sector. These sources lend authority to the claims made in the article. However, the article does not provide direct quotes or detailed attributions, which could enhance the credibility and reliability of the information presented.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of disclosing the methodology behind its claims, especially regarding the context window and political bias of Grok 3. There is no clear explanation of how these conclusions were reached or who made them. Additionally, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest, which could affect its impartiality.