Elon Musk’s X debuts new image creation tool Aurora

Elon Musk’s microblogging platform X has debuted a new image creation tool Aurora to the delight of the platform’s users.

Like the first AI image generator the platform launched in October, Aurora has its limitations. It is accessible through the Grok tab on the mobile and web version of the X website. The AI image generator was announced by staff at Elon Musk’s AI company xAI, with most of them showcasing its design and image generation skills.

According to sources, Aurora can generate several images of public and copyrighted individuals without issues. However, the image generator cannot generate nude of any kind. The image appeared to be able to design a Trump-related image, just like the first image generator. A brief instruction to design a ‘bloodied Trump’ image was successful, with the image generator producing a clear image.

Elon Musk’s xAI staff showcases its new image generator tool

With Aurora already being put to use, there is little information given by the staff at xAI about its origin. So, it remains unknown if the staff trained it, or if it is an update to an existing image generator. There is also no way to know if, like Flux, the first image generator, there was a collaboration to build it. Either way, the image generator produces photo-realistic images, including the ones of landscape and still life.

So this new @grok image generation called Aurora just shipped on a Saturday, what do we think folks?

Looks like trained by them, no evals or details, just, here you go, use the thing.

Seems focused on photo realism

https://t.co/oR2Uvb96vV

— Alex Volkov (Thursd/AI) (@altryne) December 7, 2024

Like most AI image generators, it has its excesses. While the images have been clear, there have been issues with the generator creating hands for humans, an issue with most image generators, and people and objects being blended. Aurora’s release is coming after X announced that all users can now use Grok for free. Initially, access to the AI came with the platform’s $8 per month subscriptions, opening it up to only users with verified check marks.

X also announced that users who are on the free plan can send only 10 messages to the AI and request around three images every day. Also, X had announced that xAI recently closed a $6 billion funding round, with the investment going into the creation of an app that will serve Grok users. Like most AI applications, having a standalone app will enable the firm to infuse better features that will serve its users. Similarly, the company is looking into the creation of its next-generation Grok model the Grok 3.

X users comment on the new image generator tool

The rollout of the new image generator has been met with positive and negative comments on the microblogging platform. X user @EnsoMatt didn’t hold back, creating a series of images using Aurora. In a thread, he showcased several images of popular personalities that he created. However, users like @iruletheworldmo called the new image generator ‘useless’ because it failed to produce an image depicting his exact command.

Meanwhile, there are still negative effects of AI image generators, especially in the crypto market. For instance, users complained about the lack of guardrails around the first version, noting that it may be used to depict scenarios that are less than pleasing. For instance, users used it to generate less pleasing images of pop star Taylor Swift to her dissatisfaction. After she complained, some stopped, while others doubled down, showcasing the misuse of the image generation tool. Although the same cannot be said for Aurora, there is a likelihood that it may be one tool for bad actors.

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