Grok 4
Grok 4 is xAI’s flagship model, trained on the Colossus supercomputer cluster. Distinguished by real-time access to X (Twitter) data for current-events reasoning.
Released
April 10, 2026
Type
multimodal
License
proprietary
Context
1,000,000 tokens
Pricing
Input
$3.00 / 1M tokens
Output
$15.00 / 1M tokens
Capabilities
Links
Grok 4 in the news
TechCrunch · Aug 1, 2026
Judge denies xAI’s request to block Minnesota ban on ‘nudify’ apps
A Minnesota ban targeting applications designed to "nudify" images, thereby altering them to appear nude, will be permitted to move forward following a judicial decision. The ban, enacted by the Minnesota Legislature, prohibits the distribution and use of such software within the state. This ruling comes in response to a legal challenge initiated by xAI, a company founded by Elon Musk, which sought to prevent the enforcement of the ban. xAI's lawsuit argued that the Minnesota law was overly broad and infringed upon free speech rights, contending that the technology could have legitimate uses beyond creating non-consensual explicit imagery. The company asserted that the ban would stifle innovation and creative expression. However, District Judge Nancy E. Brasel of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota rejected xAI's request for a preliminary injunction. In her ruling, Judge Brasel stated that xAI had not demonstrated a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of its claim that the law violates the First Amendment. She further noted that the state has a compelling interest in protecting its citizens from the harms associated with non-consensual deepfakes and exploitative imagery, particularly concerning minors. The judge's decision allows Minnesota to enforce its ban on "nudify" applications while the broader legal case proceeds. The Minnesota "nudify" app ban, officially designated as Minnesota Statutes Section 617.261, was passed as part of a larger legislative effort to combat the proliferation of non-consensual sexually explicit imagery, often referred to as "deepfakes." The law specifically targets applications that use artificial intelligence or machine learning to alter an image of a person to depict them in a state of nudity or in a sexual act without their consent. Violators of the ban face potential criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The legislation aims to provide a legal recourse for individuals whose images are manipulated in this manner, addressing concerns about privacy, reputation, and potential harassment. The legal battle highlights the growing tension between technological advancement, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence and image generation, and the need for legal frameworks to address potential misuse. As AI tools become more sophisticated and accessible, the ability to create realistic synthetic media raises complex ethical and legal questions. The outcome of the xAI lawsuit in Minnesota could set a precedent for how other states and jurisdictions approach the regulation of AI-powered image manipulation technologies. The broader implications extend to the development and deployment of AI, influencing how companies like xAI and others navigate the evolving landscape of digital content creation and its societal impact. The state of Minnesota's position, supported by the judge's ruling, underscores a commitment to safeguarding individuals from the harms of non-consensual digital manipulation.
TechCrunch · Jul 31, 2026
SpaceX won’t remove all of xAI’s unpermitted turbines for another year
SpaceX has committed to a timeline that will see unpermitted turbines at xAI's Colossus data center remain in place for at least another year, according to a regulatory filing. The company is currently constructing a new power plant to support the data centers, a project that is expected to take a significant amount of time to complete. This delay in turbine removal comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of the power infrastructure surrounding the xAI facilities. The original plan had stipulated a more immediate removal of these structures, but the construction of the new power plant has necessitated an extension of this deadline. The new power plant is intended to provide a more stable and compliant energy source for the burgeoning data center operations of xAI, Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company. The existing turbines, however, have been flagged for not having the necessary permits, raising concerns among local regulatory bodies and environmental groups. SpaceX, which is also founded by Elon Musk, is responsible for the construction and operation of the power infrastructure for xAI. The company has stated that the construction of the new power plant is a complex undertaking that involves significant engineering and regulatory approvals. The filing indicates that the removal of the unpermitted turbines will be contingent upon the full operationalization of the new power plant, which is now projected to occur sometime in late 2025 or early 2026. This extended timeline suggests that the regulatory hurdles and construction complexities are more substantial than initially anticipated. The Colossus data centers are a critical component of xAI's ambitious plans to develop advanced artificial intelligence models, requiring substantial and reliable power. The delay in addressing the unpermitted turbines could potentially lead to further regulatory challenges or public opposition, depending on the specific local ordinances and the impact of the turbines. SpaceX's commitment to building a new power plant underscores the significant energy demands of large-scale AI operations. The company has not provided specific details regarding the capacity or technology of the new power plant, but it is expected to meet the growing energy needs of xAI while adhering to environmental and permitting regulations. The extended presence of the unpermitted turbines highlights the ongoing tension between rapid technological development and regulatory compliance in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence infrastructure. The situation at the xAI data center underscores the broader challenges faced by companies in scaling up operations that require substantial energy resources while navigating complex permitting processes. The regulatory filing, submitted to the relevant authorities, outlines the revised schedule for the removal of the turbines, emphasizing the interdependence of this action with the completion of the new power generation facility. This development is being closely watched by stakeholders concerned with both technological advancement and environmental stewardship.
Decrypt · Jul 30, 2026
Elon Musk's xAI Sues Minnesota to Kill the US's First AI Nudification Law
xAI, the artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk, filed a lawsuit in federal court on Friday, March 15, 2024, seeking to block Minnesota's newly enacted AI nudification law. The company contends that the law, which aims to prevent the creation and distribution of non-consensual deepfake pornography, is unconstitutionally vague and overly broad. xAI argues that the law's definition of "nudification" is so expansive that it could inadvertently criminalize the sharing of innocent images, such as photos of shirtless men or individuals in swimwear. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, specifically names Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison as the defendant. xAI's legal team asserts that the law violates the First Amendment by infringing on free speech rights and the Fourteenth Amendment by lacking clear definitions, making it impossible for individuals and companies to understand what conduct is prohibited. The company is seeking an injunction to prevent the law from taking effect on Saturday, March 16, 2024, as scheduled. This legal challenge marks the first time a state's AI-specific law has been targeted by a major AI developer. Minnesota's law, passed in May 2023, prohibits the creation or dissemination of "nudification" material, defined as any image or video depicting a person in a state of nudity or sexual conduct that is generated or altered by artificial intelligence without the subject's consent. The law carries penalties including up to a year in jail and a $3,000 fine for violations. xAI's complaint states that the broad language could lead to the prosecution of ordinary citizens for sharing harmless content, thereby chilling legitimate expression. The company emphasizes its commitment to ethical AI development and argues that the law, as written, is not a narrowly tailored solution to the problem of non-consensual deepfakes. Instead, xAI suggests the law's ambiguity poses a significant risk to lawful online activities and could stifle innovation in the AI sector. The lawsuit highlights the growing tension between the rapid advancement of AI technologies and the legislative efforts to regulate their potential misuse, particularly concerning privacy and the creation of synthetic media. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how other states and jurisdictions approach the regulation of AI-generated content.
The Guardian World · Jul 30, 2026
Elon Musk’s xAI sues Minnesota over law banning ‘nudification’ technology
Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company, xAI, has initiated legal action against the state of Minnesota, filing a lawsuit in federal court on Monday. The suit challenges a recently enacted state law that specifically prohibits the use of "nudification" technology. This groundbreaking legislation, scheduled to take effect on Saturday, positions Minnesota as the first state in the United States to attempt a legal ban on the increasingly prevalent technology capable of generating fake nude images of real individuals using artificial intelligence. The lawsuit contends that the law infringes upon constitutional rights and establishes a critical test case for the extent to which states can constitutionally regulate the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. The "nudification" technology at the heart of this dispute leverages AI algorithms to create synthetic nude imagery, often by digitally altering existing photographs without the consent of the depicted individuals. This practice has ignited widespread ethical and legal concerns regarding privacy, consent, and the potential for malicious exploitation. Minnesota's law, which was signed in May, explicitly aims to combat the proliferation of non-consensual deepfake pornography and other deceptive forms of AI-generated imagery. The legislation specifically targets the deployment and use of such technology on websites and applications operating within the state. By filing its lawsuit just days before the law's implementation, xAI is seeking to preempt its enforcement and, in doing so, potentially define the legal boundaries for state-level regulation of AI technologies. The outcome of this legal challenge could have profound and far-reaching implications for the development, deployment, and governance of AI technologies across the United States. It is poised to influence subsequent legislative efforts at both state and federal levels, as well as shape judicial interpretations concerning the intersection of free speech, technological innovation, and individual rights. The legal challenge mounted by xAI underscores the complex and often contentious relationship between rapid technological advancement and existing legal frameworks. As AI capabilities, particularly in the realm of generative media, continue to expand at an unprecedented pace, lawmakers and legal systems are grappling with the formidable task of addressing potential harms without unduly stifling innovation. This lawsuit highlights the inherent tension between the imperative to protect individuals from the malicious use of AI and the principles of open access, technological freedom, and the potential for new forms of expression. The specific provisions of Minnesota's "nudification" law and xAI's constitutional arguments will be central to the proceedings, with the potential to set a significant precedent for how similar technologies are regulated in other jurisdictions. The case is expected to attract considerable attention from technology companies, civil liberties advocates, policymakers, and the public at large.
The Verge · Jul 29, 2026
xAI’s last-minute scramble to stop Minnesota’s anti-nudification app law
xAI filed a lawsuit against Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on an unspecified date, challenging a state law enacted in May that broadly targets "nudification" applications. The artificial intelligence company contends that the statute's punitive measures effectively compel it to "restrict Grok Imagine's image-editing features in various ways," arguing that this coercion violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, seeks to block the enforcement of the law, which xAI claims is unconstitutionally vague and overbroad. The law in question, officially known as the "Digital Nudity Prevention Act," aims to prohibit the creation and distribution of "nudification" applications, which are defined as software that can alter images to depict individuals in a state of nudity without their consent. Proponents of the law argue it is necessary to protect individuals, particularly minors, from non-consensual deepfake pornography and other forms of digital exploitation. However, xAI argues that the law's broad language could encompass legitimate artistic and creative tools, including its own Grok Imagine product, which offers image editing capabilities. According to xAI's legal filing, the company asserts that the law's definitions are so expansive that they could be interpreted to apply to a wide range of image manipulation software, including those used for satire, artistic expression, or even simple photo editing. The lawsuit highlights that the "punitive provisions" of the law, which include significant fines and potential criminal penalties, create an untenable situation for developers like xAI. The company states that the risk of violating the law, coupled with the ambiguity of its terms, leaves them with "no practical choice but to restrict Grok Imagine's image-editing features" to avoid legal repercussions. This, xAI argues, amounts to an unconstitutional restriction on free speech and expression. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's office has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the lawsuit. However, the state legislature's passage of the law reflects a growing concern among lawmakers nationwide about the proliferation of AI-generated or manipulated content, particularly when used for malicious purposes. Several other states have considered or enacted similar legislation aimed at regulating AI-generated imagery and combating its misuse. The outcome of xAI's lawsuit could have significant implications for the development and deployment of AI-powered creative tools and the legal landscape surrounding digital content manipulation.