Elon Musk's 'Grok' Goes Open-Source, Challenging OpenAI
Elon Musk is set to release the source code for his company xAI's chatbot, Grok, this week. This move comes amidst his ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI.
This week, @xAI will open source Grok
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 11, 2024
Musk alleges OpenAI has abandoned its original mission of open-source technology for profit-seeking motives, particularly in light of its partnership with Microsoft.
Grok, launched last year, offers advanced features. These include access to "real-time" information and perspectives that challenge "politically correct" views. The chatbot is part of Musk's X platform, available to subscribers for a $16 monthly fee.
Musk's decision to open-source Grok intensifies the debate over the direction of artificial intelligence development. His lawsuit against OpenAI has drawn criticism from some tech leaders, including Vinod Khosla, who views it as a distraction from advancing AI.
Others, like Marc Andreessen, defend open-source research in AI, believing it accelerates progress and avoids monopolies. Musk's stand aligns with this view, demonstrating a commitment to the principles he sees as abandoned by OpenAI in favor of its partnership with Microsoft.
xAI will soon join Meta and Mistral, companies that have already released open-source versions of their chatbots. Musk's history with Tesla further exemplifies his belief in open-source technology. In 2014, he pledged Tesla wouldn't pursue patent lawsuits against those leveraging their technology.
The open-sourcing of Grok marks a significant escalation in the unfolding rivalry between Musk and his former partners at OpenAI.
Source: TechCrunch, Elon Musk via X