Elon Musk-owned xAI has officially made the latest version of its AI model, Grok 4, freely accessible to all users worldwide. Announced on August 10, 2025, this move expands access beyond the original SuperGrok and X Premium subscribers, aiming to attract a wider user base and compete with rival AI platforms like OpenAI’s GPT-5.
According to xAI, users can now explore Grok 4’s full potential with generous usage limits, available for a limited time. However, the company has clarified that access to Grok 4 Heavy, its most advanced variant, remains exclusive to SuperGrok Heavy subscribers.
What’s New in Grok 4?
Grok 4 features two intelligent modes: Auto Mode and Expert Mode. In Auto Mode, the AI automatically decides if a user prompt requires deeper reasoning or a simple response, improving performance and saving computing resources. Expert Mode allows users to manually trigger a more in-depth answer if the initial response isn’t satisfactory. This dual-mode system helps balance efficiency and quality, giving users more control.
Grok Imagine: Free AI Video Generation (with Controversy)
In addition to Grok 4, xAI also rolled out Grok Imagine, a free AI video generation tool, currently available only in the United States. While non-US paid users enjoy higher request limits, Grok Imagine has already attracted criticism. Reports from the BBC highlighted its misuse in creating explicit deepfake videos of celebrities like Taylor Swift and Sydney Sweeney, raising concerns about content moderation and responsible AI use.
Grok 4 is now free for all users.
The free tier allows a small number of queries per day. Beyond that requires subscription. https://t.co/mdtpamAQ3p— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 11, 2025
Ads Coming to Grok Interface
In a recent X Spaces discussion, Elon Musk revealed that ads will soon be integrated into the Grok chatbot interface. These ads are expected to appear between answers and suggestions on both the Grok website and mobile app. Musk stated that introducing ads is a necessary step to offset the high costs of GPUs required to run large AI models.
Why This Matters
xAI’s decision to offer free access to Grok 4 appears to be a strategic response to increasing competition, particularly from OpenAI’s newly launched GPT-5, which is also available to all users without charge. By keeping advanced features locked behind subscriptions while offering core capabilities for free, xAI is trying to strike a balance between user growth and monetization.
With Grok 4 now free globally and powerful new features like Grok Imagine, xAI is clearly pushing for broader AI adoption. However, challenges such as AI misuse and monetisation strategies may shape how users and regulators respond in the coming months.
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