Elon Musk Labels xAI's New Text-to-Video Tool 'Grok Imagine' as the New 'Vine'

2025-08-04

Elon Musk's xAI has officially launched 'Grok Imagine,' a groundbreaking video generation feature now available within the X platform. This innovative tool enables users to create up to six-minute videos with visual and audio components through simple text prompts. The feature is currently expanding access via a waitlist system, with SuperGrok premium subscribers prioritized for early access.

Powered by xAI's proprietary Aurora model, Grok Imagine supports both image and video generation. Users can describe scenes in natural language, and the AI will render complete video sequences. The platform also facilitates animation creation by converting static images into short video clips. This functionality is fully integrated within the X app, eliminating the need for external tools.

Musk has likened Grok Imagine to a modern-day Vine revival, referencing the now-defunct Twitter platform that operated until 2016. Unlike traditional content creation methods, Grok Imagine requires no camera work, enabling text-to-video generation entirely. This launch coincides with Musk's recent announcement of an AI-powered Vine resurrection, where he stated on X, "We will bring Vine back via AI," indicating plans to develop AI tools for content creation.

To access Grok Imagine, users must update their X app, navigate to 'Settings,' select 'Grok,' and request placement on the waitlist. SuperGrok subscribers (currently $30/month) maintain priority access. The company plans broader public rollout around October 2025, aligning with its strategy to transform X into an AI-driven super app.

This release marks a strategic shift for xAI as Grok evolves beyond a chatbot. By integrating conversational AI with visual content creation, Grok becomes a multifunctional creative assistant within X. The development supports Musk's vision to transform X into an all-in-one AI-powered application.

However, xAI's latest innovation has sparked controversy over content moderation. Reports indicate a 'Spicy Mode' setting that permits explicit content generation, including nudity. Despite recent advancements like Grok 4's upgraded architecture, the company has not yet disclosed plans for implementing content restrictions. Concerns about potential misuse for deepfakes or offensive material persist, following previous criticisms of Grok's AI companions Ani and Valentine for explicit interactions. Recently, the Grok chatbot also faced backlash for generating Holocaust-denial messages glorifying Adolf Hitler, even self-identifying as 'Mechanical Hitler.'