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Grok 3: Elon Musk’s AI That Rivals GPT-4 and DeepSeek
February 27, 2025
For the UK’s thriving tech community, the launch of Grok 3 marks a significant milestone in the evolution of artificial intelligence. As Britain continues to strengthen its position in global technology innovation, with London and Cambridge becoming increasingly important AI hubs, understanding cutting-edge models like Grok 3 becomes crucial for both developers and businesses across the nation.
Just a month ago, attention was focused on the launch of the DeepSeek AI platform and its open-source philosophy. Now, this landscape takes a significant turn with the arrival of Grok 3 from xAI, Elon Musk’s company founded less than two years ago.
Like DeepSeek, the Chinese-origin AI, Grok 3 has managed to position itself among AI giants in record time by challenging the status quo and redefining expectations of what’s possible in the field of advanced language models.
What does the arrival of Grok 3 mean for the world of generative AI? Is it better than other models like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini? In this article, we’ll explain its main features and implications for the future.
What is Grok 3?
Grok 3 represents the third iteration of xAI’s language model, designed to compete with market leaders like GPT-4, Claude 3.5, and Gemini 2.0. The model comes in two main variants:
Grok 3, full version, can handle complex tasks such as:
- Writing a complete novel with detailed characters
- Analysing a 100-page financial report
- Programming a complete application from scratch
- Solving advanced mathematical problems
- Conducting deep research on any topic
Grok 3 Mini is a more efficient version designed for tasks requiring fewer computational resources such as:
- Writing a professional email
- Solving basic and intermediate mathematical problems
- Explaining concepts simply
- Creating simple programming scripts
- Answering direct questions
Unlike DeepSeek, Grok 3 and its Mini version do not follow an open-source philosophy and remain closed. However, Musk’s AI platform doesn’t rule out this possibility, as according to the Tesla CEO, the company’s general policy is to release the code of previous models once the most updated version is available. That is, when Grok 3 is fully operational, Grok 2 will be available as an open resource; therefore, once Grok 4 is launched, Grok 3 will be released.
Main Features
Grok 3 stands out for its advanced capabilities, starting with its “Think” mode, a reasoning functionality that allows the model to “think” for several seconds or minutes before providing an answer. This approach, similar to human reasoning, allows solving complex problems with greater precision and detail.
Another of its most innovative features is DeepSearch, a search and research agent that can analyse large amounts of information in minutes, synthesising data from multiple sources to provide comprehensive answers. This feature competes directly with similar features from ChatGPT and Gemini, albeit with the added advantage of its integration with X (formerly Twitter).
The model also distinguishes itself through its continuous update system. According to Elon Musk, users can expect almost daily improvements, an approach that contrasts with the longer update cycles of other models. However, this also poses challenges for developers who need consistency in model behaviour.
Although Elon Musk has presented Grok 3 as an “anti-woke” alternative, independent tests have shown a more moderate approach to ethical and controversial topics. Tests conducted by Andrej Karpathy, founding member of Open AI and former Director of Tesla, showed that Elon Musk’s AI platform displays a cautious and sensitive approach to these topics.
Comparison Between Leading AI Models
| Feature | Grok 3 | ChatGPT-4 | DeepSeek | Gemini 2.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company | xAI | OpenAI | DeepSeek | |
| Code | Closed (future release) | Closed | Open | Closed |
| Updates | Daily | Periodic | Frequent | Periodic |
| AIME Score | 93.3% (2025) | Not public | Not public | Not public |
| ELO Score | 1,400 | 1,300+ | 1,200+ | 1,300+ |
| Access | X Premium+ | ChatGPT Plus | Free/API | Google One |
| Base Price £/month | £89.99 | £19.99 | Free | £19.99 |
| Premium Price £/month | £199.99 | £49.99 | API by consumption | £29.99 |
Special Features:
- Grok 3: Think Mode, DeepSearch, X Integration
- ChatGPT-4: GPT-4V, DALL-E 3, Web browsing
- DeepSeek: Open source, Low consumption, Flexible API
- Gemini 2.0: Web search, Gemini Pro, Google Integration
Capabilities and Performance
The performance of Grok 3 has been remarkable in multiple standardised tests. In the “American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) 2025”, a highly prestigious test that forms part of the United States mathematics competition system, Grok 3 xAI achieved 93.3% accuracy, and its Mini version reached 95.8% in AIME 2024. These results are particularly significant given that these exams are so recent they couldn’t have been part of the training data.
In the Chatbot Arena platform, Grok 3, under the pseudonym chocolate, achieved an ELO score of 1,400, surpassing other leading models like Gemini, ChatGPT, DeepSeek and o1 (OpenAI’s reasoning model) in blind evaluations conducted by real users. This achievement is especially relevant as it demonstrates the model’s ability to handle real-world queries effectively.
However, shortly after these data graphs were published in the live broadcast, OpenAI product engineer Rex Asabor posted an “updated” graph where o3 outperformed Grok 3 Reasoning in mathematics and science tests. Although this model has not yet been released to the public, this message suggests that Sam Altman and company have more cards to play.
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Infrastructure and Technology
The heart of Grok 3 is the Colossus supercluster, located in Memphis, which boasts 200,000 Nvidia GPUs. This massive computing infrastructure has been fundamental to the model’s rapid development, demonstrating that significant scaling of computational resources remains a viable strategy in advanced AI development, in contrast to what DeepSeek achieved with more austere resources whilst compromising the chip manufacturer’s shares.
Colossus’s processing capacity surpasses many other computing clusters in the industry, though Musk has suggested there’s more than just raw power behind Grok 3’s success. The AI’s internal architecture remains secret, pending the publication of detailed technical papers.
For the UK context, this scale of infrastructure is particularly relevant as domestic tech giants and startups continue to invest in AI computing capabilities, with several organisations in London, Cambridge, and Manchester developing similar, albeit smaller-scale, computing clusters.
For professionals working with AI development and testing on a smaller scale, powerful desktop systems like the OMEN by HP 45L GT22-1015na Gaming PC offer impressive performance. While marketed as a gaming PC, its powerful configuration makes it equally suitable for AI model inference and development tasks.
Access and Availability
Grok 3 is primarily available through two platforms: the X social network and a standalone Grok application. Premium and Premium+ X users have privileged access to the model, with Premium+ users receiving additional access to advanced functionalities such as “Think” mode and DeepSearch.
The user interface follows a design similar to other popular chatbot applications, offering a familiar experience for ChatGPT or Perplexity users. For businesses and developers, particularly in the UK’s growing tech sector, xAI plans to soon launch an API that will allow Grok 3 integration into custom applications.
When setting up multi-device AI development environments, quality peripheral connectivity is crucial. The HP USB-C Travel Hub G2 offers an elegant solution for expanding connectivity options, allowing developers to connect external displays and accessories for a more productive workspace.
Grok Access Plans
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Access and Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | £89.99 | £899.99 |
|
| Premium+ | £199.99 | £1,999.99 |
|
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Future Implications
The success of Grok 3 is accelerating several trends in AI development. Shorter release cycles are becoming the norm, with more frequent updates and continuous improvements. This could lead to more intense competition between AI laboratories, potentially accelerating progress in the field.
For the UK’s expanding AI ecosystem, these developments present both opportunities and challenges. As one of Europe’s leading technology hubs, British developers and companies are well-positioned to leverage these advancements, particularly in sectors like financial services, healthcare, and education where AI adoption is rapidly growing.
Challenges include balancing development speed with security and ethics, as well as the high computational cost associated with training these models. The trend towards open source could also significantly transform the AI landscape in the coming years, potentially benefiting the UK’s diverse developer community.
For businesses exploring AI implementation, creating dedicated AI centres of excellence requires thoughtful workspace design. High-resolution displays like the HP Z27k G3 27" 4K UHD IPS USB-C Docking Monitor can enhance productivity when working with complex data visualisations and AI interfaces.
Additional AI Applications in the UK Market
The rapid advancement of models like Grok 3 is opening new possibilities for AI integration across numerous industries in the UK. From financial services in London to healthcare research in Cambridge and manufacturing operations in the Midlands, British businesses are increasingly exploring how these powerful AI models can transform operations.
For developers and AI professionals in the UK, staying current with these rapidly evolving technologies requires both theoretical knowledge and practical hands-on experience. This has spurred growth in AI education programmes across British universities and professional training institutions, with many offering specialised courses in prompt engineering, model fine-tuning, and AI application development.
Organizations in regulated industries like finance and healthcare must also carefully consider the governance frameworks for AI deployment. The UK’s approach to AI regulation is evolving, with initiatives like the AI Safety Institute positioning Britain as a leader in responsible AI development.
Conclusion
Grok 3 represents a significant milestone in AI development and demonstrates that a relatively new startup can compete with established industry giants. Its combination of advanced capabilities, continuous updating, and future open-source policy make it an attractive option within generative AI, even without declaring victory.
For British businesses and developers interested in generative AI, Grok 3 offers a serious alternative to established models. However, it’s crucial to conduct specific evaluations based on particular needs and use cases before committing to any platform, as all are in continuous development.
As the AI field continues to make giant strides, Grok 3 represents not just a technological advance, but also a change in how AI models are developed and deployed. This evolution could have particular significance for the UK’s technology sector, which continues to play an increasingly important role in global AI development.
To stay updated on its evolution and make the most of its capabilities, it is recommended to follow xAI’s official updates and experiment directly with the model. For the UK’s tech community, this presents an opportunity to engage with and contribute to the next generation of AI development.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Grok 3 considered potentially inconsistent for developers?
Due to nearly daily updates, developers may face frequent changes in model behaviour, which can make it challenging to maintain stable applications that depend on it. This means applications built on Grok 3 may need more frequent testing and updates to ensure reliable performance.
What limitations should be considered before subscribing to Grok 3?
While Premium+ subscribers get access to all features, it’s important to note that some capabilities like “Big Brain” are not yet available, and the model may show inconsistent performance in specific tasks such as vector graphics generation. Consider testing the basic features first through a standard Premium subscription before committing to Premium+.
How does X (formerly Twitter) integration affect response quality?
The integration with X provides Grok 3 access to real-time information and current conversations, potentially resulting in more contextualised responses about recent events compared to other models. This real-time data integration can be particularly valuable for tasks requiring up-to-date information.
What are the implications of the Colossus supercluster for energy consumption?
With 200,000 Nvidia GPUs, Colossus’s energy consumption is significant, raising questions about sustainability and operational costs compared to more efficient alternatives like DeepSeek. This massive infrastructure has direct implications for the environmental impact and running costs of the service.
How does the feedback system work in Grok 3?
The model incorporates user feedback into its daily updates, enabling continuous improvements based on real usage. While this means responses may vary significantly over time, it also allows the system to better adapt to diverse use cases and improve accuracy through user interactions. The feedback system helps identify and correct errors while enhancing the model’s overall performance.
