Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, has announced the addition of image generation capabilities to its API, expanding its services.
Key Features of the Image Model
Currently, the API offers a single image model called “grok-2-image-1212.” This model can generate up to 10 images per request, with a limit of five requests per second. Images are delivered in JPG format, and each image is priced at $0.07.
Comparison with Competitors
xAI’s pricing is slightly higher than Black Forest Labs, a partner with xAI, which charges $0.05 per image. In contrast, Ideogram, another image generation provider, charges up to $0.08 per image, making xAI’s service more competitive in pricing.
Limitations of the API
However, there are some limitations. The API currently does not offer options to adjust the quality, size, or style of the generated images. Additionally, prompts in requests may be modified by a “chat model,” as noted in the API’s documentation.
Revenue and Expansion Plans
xAI, which launched its API in October 2024, is exploring various revenue opportunities to support its expanding operations. The company is discussing a potential $10 billion funding round to increase its valuation to $75 billion. It is also focused on diversified growth, including the acquisition of a generative AI video startup and expanding its Memphis-based data center. This expansion will enhance training and operations for its models.
