On February 18, 2025, Elon Musk's company xAI unveiled Grok 3, a new AI model that claims to outperform existing models like OpenAI's GPT-4o and DeepSeek's V3 in various benchmarks. Hereâs a detailed overview of Grok 3's features and capabilities:
Key Features of Grok 3
1. Enhanced Computational Power
- Grok 3 is built on a significantly upgraded infrastructure, utilizing 200,000 GPUs, which provides over ten times the processing capability of its predecessor, Grok 2[1][3]. This improvement allows it to excel in complex tasks such as mathematics, science, and coding.
2. Reasoning Capabilities
- Unlike traditional AI models that provide direct answers, Grok 3 employs a multi-step reasoning process. This is activated via its Think mode, which breaks down problems into smaller steps and evaluates multiple solutions before arriving at a conclusion[2][4]. This feature is particularly beneficial for complex problem-solving scenarios.
3. Big Brain Mode
- For more demanding tasks, Grok 3 offers a Big Brain mode, which allocates additional computational resources to enhance accuracy and depth of responses. This mode is useful for scientific research and intricate AI tasks[2][3].
4. DeepSearch Functionality
- Grok 3 includes a built-in research tool called DeepSearch, enabling it to browse the web for real-time information and verify sources before generating answers. This positions it as a competitor in the growing field of AI-driven research tools[1][4].
5. Accessibility and Pricing
- Initially available to Premium+ subscribers of the X app for $40 per month (up from $22), Grok 3 can also be accessed through its dedicated website and app[1][3]. A discount brings the effective monthly fee down to just below $33 for new subscribers.
Performance Benchmarks
In live demonstrations, Grok 3 reportedly achieved high scores in various assessments:- It scored between 93-96 in mathematics when utilizing its reasoning capabilities, a significant improvement from its generalist mode score of 52**[2][4].
- It also outperformed competitors in science and coding tasks during these evaluations.
Conclusion
Grok 3 represents a substantial advancement in AI technology with its hybrid approach combining reasoning and generalist capabilities. As it enters a competitive landscape alongside other leading AI models, its unique features like DeepSearch and multi-step reasoning could redefine user interactions with AI systems.Citations:
[1] https://www.pcmag.com/news/elon-musk-reveals-grok-3-ai-chatbot-heres-what-it-can-do
[2] https://www.datacamp.com/blog/grok-3
[3] https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/18/tech/grok-3-release-elon-musk/index.html
[4] https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/musk-xai-releases-grok-3-rcna192670
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLX92xL8uwI
[6] https://www.reddit.com/r/OpenAI/comments/1is81yr/how_is_grok_3_smartest_ai_on_earth_simply_its_not/
[7] https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/18/us/video/grok-3-elon-musk-explainer-digvid
[8] https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/musks-xai-launches-grok-3-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
[9] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-grok-3-xai-ai-chatbot-openai/