AI Video Generator Coming to Grok App with Sound
Elon Musk and xAI announced on Monday that Grok users will soon be able to create artificial intelligence videos with sound using a new feature called Imagine. This feature allows users to generate images and videos from text prompts, turning static images into videos. The feature is currently accessible to some employees and selected influencers. The @Grok X account mentioned that video generation through the Imagine feature, powered by Aurora, will be available on the standalone Grok app. Users can subscribe to SuperGrok and join the waitlist for early access in October. SuperGrok is a paid tier costing $30 per month.
Elon Musk hinted on Thursday about bringing back Vine in AI form, with xAI employee mentioning that Grok Imagine videos can be up to 6 seconds in length, similar to Vine videos. The new feature allows users to input descriptions of what they want in their videos, and the app generates corresponding videos for users to choose from. Videos shared online by xAI employees and early access users showcase the feature, including videos of a cat walking through space and an astronaut in an alien landscape.
Some users and xAI employees shared videos online demonstrating the new feature, with one employee mentioning the possibility of lewd content. A post by Mati Roy showcased a video with suggestive content, mentioning a "spicy mode" in Grok Imagine videos. Concerns were raised in the comments about the potential for creating explicit deepfakes using the new features, but xAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Trump administration has been advocating against explicit deepfakes, with President Donald Trump signing the Take It Down Act into law in May. The act, authored by Sen. Ted Cruz, makes it illegal to publish nonconsensual sexually explicit images and videos, whether real or computer-generated. Grok had previously faced criticism for its sexually explicit AI characters and controversial posts, including antisemitic content. Musk also introduced a new AI companion named "Valentine" on Grok.
Various AI platforms, such as OpenAI and Google, have already introduced AI video features. Musk clarified that Grok Imagine is still in early beta and prioritizes fun over visual or auditory perfection. xAI is set to enhance its capabilities by adding 110,000 graphics processing units to its supercomputer Collosus in Memphis, Tennessee. Bruna Horvath is an intern with NBC News' tech team.