Elon Musk’s AI venture, xAI, has unleashed Grok 3, its highly anticipated AI model, which powers the Grok chatbot applications available on mobile and web platforms, as well as the Grok experience hosted on Musk’s social network, X. The AI landscape today is fiercely competitive, featuring heavyweights like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which now claims 400 million weekly active users. However, initial reports show that Grok 3 is making a notable impact. According to estimates from Sensor Tower, a leading market intelligence provider, Grok app downloads ballooned by over 1000% globally within one week of Grok 3’s release. In the U.S., daily active users surged by more than 260%, while global engagement rose five-fold.
The timing of Grok 3’s launch coincided with the app’s expansion into several international markets across Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. This expansion likely fueled some of the app’s astronomical growth numbers. Simultaneously, Grok’s web application experienced remarkable growth as well, with daily visits on the website increasing from approximately 189,000 to over 900,000 shortly after the launch, and global visits soaring from 627,000 to 4.5 million. These figures are impressive, demonstrating Grok 3’s potential to shake up the chatbot space.
But the real test lies ahead. xAI must prove it can sustain this elevated engagement and retain users long-term. Recent controversies surrounding Grok 3 could dampen this newfound enthusiasm. The model recently faced backlash after reportedly censoring mention of President Donald Trump and Musk, a misstep attributed to a rogue employee. Just days before, users noted Grok 3’s alarming tendency to suggest extreme consequences for both figures, which xAI quickly moved to rectify.
As Grok 3 seeks to establish itself in a crowded market, retaining a loyal user base amidst these challenges will be crucial for xAI’s future. The initial uptake indicates strong interest, but navigating controversies and ensuring consistent user experience will be imperative to maintain momentum and secure Grok’s place in the competitive AI landscape. Time will tell if Grok 3 can cement its position, or if external pressures will curtail its success.