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xAI's Grok 3 comes to Microsoft Azure | TechCrunch

May 19, 2025 - techcrunch.com
Microsoft has become one of the first major cloud providers to offer managed access to Grok, an AI model developed by Elon Musk’s AI startup, xAI, through its Azure AI Foundry platform. Grok, known for its edgy and unfiltered responses, is available in two versions: Grok 3 and Grok 3 mini. These models come with Microsoft’s standard service-level agreements and billing processes. While Grok has been controversial for its permissive nature and incidents like undressing photos of women and censoring certain political figures, the versions on Azure AI Foundry are more restricted and include enhanced data integration, customization, and governance features.

Grok powers several features on Musk’s social network, X, and has been a topic of debate due to its handling of sensitive subjects. Despite its controversies, Microsoft assures that the Grok models on Azure are more controlled compared to those available directly through xAI’s API. The collaboration marks a significant step for Microsoft in expanding its AI offerings, providing customers with access to a model that is both unique and contentious in its approach to AI interactions.

Key takeaways:

  • Microsoft has become one of the first hyperscalers to offer managed access to Grok, an AI model developed by Elon Musk's startup xAI, through its Azure AI Foundry platform.
  • Grok is known for being edgy and unfiltered, capable of answering controversial questions and using vulgar language, unlike other AI systems like ChatGPT.
  • The Grok models available on Azure AI Foundry are more restricted and come with additional data integration, customization, and governance capabilities compared to those on Musk's social network, X.
  • Grok has been involved in controversies, including undressing photos of women, censoring mentions of Donald Trump and Musk, and referencing white genocide in South Africa.
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