Elon Musk’s latest AI assistant, Grok 3, has emerged as a revolutionary force in artificial intelligence. This new AI model boasts 10 times more computing power than its predecessor and leverages over 100,000 Nvidia GPU hours of training to deliver exceptional performance.
Recent tests show Grok 3 performs better than OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Google’s Gemini models. xAI has started talks to raise up to $10 billion in funding, which could value the company at $75 billion. You can access this truth-seeking AI through the new Premium+ subscription and SuperGrok features, and we’ll explore how it works and what makes it stand out.
The Story Behind Grok 3
Grok 3’s trip started after Elon Musk left OpenAI, a company he started with Sam Altman in 2015. Musk stepped down from OpenAI’s board in 2018 because he disagreed with the team’s direction. He later announced his plans to build “TruthGPT” in April 2023, which grew into the Grok series.
Why Elon Musk created Grok
Musk wanted to build a “maximum truth-seeking AI” that could understand the universe’s nature. He also wanted to create an AI that would stay true to facts, even when they clashed with political correctness. This philosophy guided how xAI built Grok 3, which uses synthetic data training and self-correction to avoid common AI mistakes.
Development timeline
Grok has grown faster since xAI started in July 2023. Here are the most important milestones:
- August 2024: Release of Grok 2 with image generation capabilities
- October 2024: Addition of image understanding features
- November 2024: Implementation of web search and PDF comprehension
- December 2024: Launch of standalone web and iOS apps
- February 2025: Release of Android version in select countries
Grok 3’s development needed huge resources. xAI used a cluster of 200,000 GPUs for training. The company raised $6 billion from major players like Nvidia, AMD, and investment funds from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. xAI is also building a massive data center in Memphis called the “gigafactory of compute.” This marks the largest investment in Memphis’s history.
Inside Grok 3’s Technology
xAI’s Colossus supercomputer powers Grok 3’s capabilities from its Memphis location. This technological marvel uses 200,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs through custom-built infrastructure. The investment ranges between $3 billion to $5 billion.
The AI architecture
The system works through two reasoning modes: “Think Mode” handles standard tasks while “Big Brain Mode” tackles complex computational challenges. Think Mode shows how Grok reasons step-by-step, and Big Brain Mode uses extra processing power for computationally demanding problems.
Training process
Grok 3’s development incorporated several advanced techniques:
- Synthetic datasets for improved learning efficiency
- Self-correction mechanisms to reduce errors
- Reinforcement learning for improved decision-making
- Human feedback loops for response refinement
Computing power used
xAI built its computing infrastructure at record speed. The team set up the original 100,000 GPUs in 122 days and added another 100,000 in just 92 days. This massive computational backbone provides 200 million GPU-hours of training capacity – 10 times more processing power than its predecessor.
The Memphis facility, known as the “gigafactory of compute,” runs on a quarter-gigawatt power capacity. This reliable setup helps Grok 3 process large datasets quickly and improve accuracy. The model’s improved capabilities come from knowing how to analyze complex problems into manageable parts and check facts before providing solutions.
Getting Access to Grok 3
Grok 3 offers multiple subscription options through X’s platform and standalone services.
Premium+ subscription details
X’s Premium+ subscription gives you simple access to Grok 3, with recent price changes showing its improved features. The monthly subscription costs USD 40.00, while you can save money with the annual plan at USD 350.00. This tier has features like deep search and simple reasoning tools.
SuperGrok features
SuperGrok, a separate subscription tier, gives you advanced features beyond the Premium+ offering. This specialized package costs USD 30.00 monthly and gives subscribers:
- Priority access to new features
- Higher image generation limits
- Advanced reasoning models
- Early updates to upcoming capabilities
Platform availability
You can now use Grok 3 on many platforms. The AI assistant is available through:
- The X platform (iOS, Android, and web interface)
- Dedicated Grok iOS app
- Newly launched Grok.com website
- Pre-registered Android app on Google Play Store
New updates come out often, usually within 24 hours. This helps the platform stay competitive with regular feature improvements and better performance.
Users should check for updates on their preferred platforms regularly. The system combines smoothly between platforms, so you get the same experience whatever interface you choose.
Comparing AI Assistants
Latest tests give us fascinating insights into what leading AI assistants can do.
Grok 3 vs ChatGPT
These AI giants show their strengths in different areas. We tested both systems and found Grok 3 performs better at image analysis. It gives more detailed observations about technical aspects. All the same, ChatGPT stays ahead in creative writing tasks and creates more balanced content.
Both assistants shine in their own ways:
- Live Processing: Grok 3 connects to current data through the X platform and shows advanced reasoning abilities
- Code Generation: ChatGPT creates better working code, but Grok 3’s documentation stands out
- User Interface: Grok 3’s accessible interface looks better with its color choices
Performance benchmarks
The newest test results show some amazing achievements. Grok 3’s early version “Chocolate” made history as the first AI to score 1,400 on the lmarena Chatbot Arena leaderboard. The AIME 2024 tests showed Grok 3 scoring 52 in mathematics, 75 in science, and 57 in coding.
These results paint a detailed picture:
| Benchmark Category | Grok 3 | Competitors |
|---|---|---|
| Math (AIME’24) | 52 points | Lower scores from Gemini, DeepSeek, Claude |
| Science (GPQA) | 75 points | Outperformed major competitors |
| Coding (LCB) | 57 points | Higher than GPT-4o and DeepSeek |
AI experts keep a balanced view about these results. Ethan Mollick from Wharton School calls Grok 3 “a very solid frontier model” but suggests users might not need to switch from their current systems. Computer scientist Andrej Karpathy sees Grok 3’s abilities as “state of the art” in reasoning, especially when it tackles complex coding problems.
Conclusion
Grok 3 marks an important milestone in AI development with its massive computational power and sophisticated technology. The AI assistant has proven its capabilities against industry leaders like GPT-4 and Google’s Gemini through extensive testing and performance measures.
This powerful tool combines 200,000 GPUs, advanced reasoning modes, and platform updates that happen continuously. Grok 3’s complete approach to problem-solving and immediate data processing makes it unique, while other AI assistants excel in specific areas only.
Premium+ and SuperGrok subscriptions give users different features and capabilities. Platform updates happen regularly, and device synchronization creates a continuous connection on supported devices. Grok 3’s performance in mathematics, science, and coding shows its potential as a leading AI assistant, though experts like Ethan Mollick suggest users should think carefully before switching from their current AI tools.
Elon Musk’s vision of a truth-seeking artificial intelligence takes shape in Grok 3. Strong infrastructure investment and ongoing development point to more capabilities in future updates.