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X’s in-house chatbot, Grok, briefly introduced a photorealistic image generator called Aurora on Saturday, Dec. 7. However, by the following day, Aurora appeared to have vanished.
Initially available in Grok’s model selection menu as “Grok 2 + Aurora (beta),” it was soon replaced with “Grok 2 + Flux (beta),” suggesting Aurora might have been prematurely released to the public. In response to a tweet showcasing Cybertruck images created with Aurora, Elon Musk commented, “This is our internal image generation system. Still in beta, but it will improve fast.”
This is our internal image generation system. Still in beta, but it will improve fast.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 7, 2024
What can X’s Aurora image generator do?
Unlike other AI-driven photo generators, Aurora allowed the creation of images featuring copyrighted and public figures, including Disney characters, without apparent restrictions. According to TechCrunch, the tool refrained from generating explicit nudity but did allow graphic content, such as “a bloodied [Donald] Trump.”
Users also shared examples of Aurora creating images of well-known figures and copyrighted characters, including Sam Altman, Elon Musk, Luigi, and Mickey Mouse in a boxing match.
Which timeline, anon?#aurora pic.twitter.com/4K5wdLy2sX
— Electrik Dreams (@electrik_dreams) December 7, 2024
Aurora was announced early Saturday in posts by staff at xAI, Musk’s AI startup, which develops Grok and many of X’s AI tools. However, the announcement left unanswered questions about its origins: whether xAI trained Aurora independently, built it on an existing image generator, or collaborated with a third party, as was the case with its earlier generator, Flux.
At least one xAI employee claimed involvement in fine-tuning Aurora. Musk had previously hinted in August at the development of an xAI-driven “image generation system,” suggesting Aurora might represent a step toward that vision.
ok. so it’s useless. pic.twitter.com/fGQ28D3Y9F
— 🍓🍓🍓 (@iruletheworldmo) December 7, 2024
Like other AI image generators, the system appears to have trouble creating hands, and some objects seem to merge unnaturally. It remains to be seen if it can rectify this ongoing issue.
Last month, ReadWrite reported that certain aspects of Grok were now available to all users, beginning with a trial run in New Zealand. Previously, access to the chatbot was restricted to X’s $8-per-month Premium subscription. Now, free users can send up to 10 messages to Grok every two hours and generate up to three images per day.
Featured image: X / Canva
