xAI launches an API for generating images

Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, has added image generation capabilities to its API.

Only one model is available in the API at the moment, “grok-2-image-1212.” Given a caption, the model can generate up to 10 images per request (limited to 5 requests per second) in JPG format, priced at $0.07 per image.

For comparison, AI startup Black Forest Labs, with which xAI partnered last year to launch image generation on Musk’s social network X, charges around $0.05 per image. Another popular image model provider, Ideogram, charges $0.08 on the higher end.

In its documentation, xAI notes that the API doesn’t support adjusting the quality, size, or style of images yet, and that prompts in requests are subject to revision by a “chat model.”

xAI, which launched its API

in October 2024, appears to be on the hunt for meaningful sources of revenue as it ramps up training and development of flagship models like Grok 3. The company is reportedly meeting with investors about a potential $10 billion funding round that could bring its valuation to $75 billion.

Hinting at its other ambitions, xAI recently acquired a generative AI video startup and is in the process of expanding the Memphis-based data center it uses to train and run its various models.

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