Introduction
In a significant development in the world of artificial intelligence (AI), Elon Musk-owned social network X has introduced a new image generator called Aurora. This product is the latest addition to Grok, X’s AI-powered chatbot that was previously known as Twitter. The release of Aurora comes after X made Grok free for all users, removing the need for an $8-per-month Premium subscription.
Aurora: A Photorealistic Image Generator
Aurora is a photorealistic image generator that can create images of public and copyrighted figures without any restrictions. In its initial tests, the model was found to be capable of generating high-quality images, including landscapes and still lifes. However, it’s worth noting that Aurora is not flawless, as users have reported instances where objects blend unnaturally together and people are depicted without fingers.
The release of Aurora has sparked interest in the tech community, with many users taking to social media to share their experiences with the new image generator. Behold my images using the new Grok @grokimage generator Aurora:
- Ray Romano and Adam Sandler on a sitcom set
pic.twitter.com/2V491RdjMF - An image of Mickey Mouse, created by the model without any complaint about copyright
https://t.co/oR2Uvb96vV
Aurora’s Origins
The origins of Aurora are a bit murky. Staffers at xAI, Musk’s AI startup that develops Grok and many of X’s AI-powered features, announced the model in posts on X early Saturday. However, they didn’t reveal whether xAI trained Aurora itself or built upon an existing image generator.
At least one xAI employee said they helped fine-tune the model, while Elon Musk alluded to xAI having its own "image generation system" under development in August. This is our internal image generation system,’ Muskwrote Saturday in a post on X. ‘Still in beta, but it will improve fast.’
Aurora’s Capabilities
Aurora seems to excel at photorealistic images, including landscapes and still lifes. However, as mentioned earlier, the model is not flawless and has been reported to have some limitations.
- Restrictions: Aurora can generate images of public and copyrighted figures without any restrictions.
- Graphic Content: The model stopped short of nudes in our brief tests but graphic content like ‘an image of a bloodied Trump’ wasn’t off limits.
- Object Placement: Objects are sometimes placed unnaturally together, and people may be depicted without fingers.
The Release of Aurora
The release of Aurora comes after X made Grok free for all users. Previously, the chatbot was gated behind X’s $8-per-month Premium subscription. Free users can send up to 10 messages to Grok every two hours and generate up to 3 images per day.
Other Developments in AI and xAI
In other X and xAI news this week:
- $6 Billion Funding Round: xAI closed a $6 billion funding round, which is reportedly the largest ever raised by an AI startup.
- Standalone App for Grok: xAI is working on developing a standalone app for Grok, which will allow users to access the chatbot without having to go through X’s website or mobile app.
- xAI’s Image Generation System: Elon Musk hinted at xAI’s plans to develop an internal image generation system that will be more advanced than Aurora.
Conclusion
The release of Aurora is a significant development in the world of AI, as it showcases the capabilities of photorealistic image generators. While the model has some limitations, its potential applications are vast and exciting. As xAI continues to push the boundaries of AI research, we can expect to see even more innovative products and services emerge from the company.
Related Articles
- Fintech: Dub, the copy trading app that has teens talking: Connie Loizos, 3 hours ago
- Biotech & Health: Google’s X spins out Heritable Agriculture, a startup using AI to improve crop yield: Brian Heater, 6 hours ago
- AIAI systems with ‘unacceptable risk’ are now banned in the EU: Kyle Wiggers, 7 hours ago
Subscribe for the latest tech news
Stay up-to-date on the latest developments in AI and technology by subscribing to TechCrunch’s newsletters. Choose from a variety of topics, including:
- TechCrunch Daily News: Get the industry’s biggest tech news every weekday and Sunday
- TechCrunch AITechCrunch’s AI experts cover the latest news in the fast-moving field
- TechCrunch Space: Get up-to-speed on the latest advances in aerospace every Monday
- Startups Weekly: Get our best coverage of startups delivered weekly
Subscribe now and stay ahead of the curve.
