Grok2: AI with more courage than your teenager: review

My regular readers know that I often use generative AIs such as Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and ChatGPT from OpenAI. However, I heard that Grok2 allows generating what others cannot. It is said that Grok has an inherent sense of freedom of speech. It can not only say what others might avoid but also create images that no other generative AI allows.

One of the key features of Grok2 is the ability to generate images using FLUX.1 from Black Forest Labs. Grok2 feels like your rebellious AI assistant, complemented by a playful "entertainment mode".

Real-time Information Processing

Unlike many AI models that use static databases or limited datasets updated periodically, Grok2 has access to real-time information through web search. This means it can provide up-to-date answers to queries that require fresh data. This changes the way users interact with AI regarding current events, market trends, or any rapidly changing information situation. If you are looking for the latest news in technology or need real-time data analysis, Grok2 offers an advantage by providing not just links but direct answers and insights.

Prompt for Grok2: "What's on the White House agenda today?" (note for the reader; the article was written on November 27, 2024)

Grok2's response: As of November 27, 2024, the White House agenda includes:

• President Biden delivering a speech in the Rose Garden.

• Working on a hostage deal and ceasefire in Gaza.

• Announcement by President Biden and President Macron on the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon.

Also, you can ask him a question like "What are the top 5 news stories this morning from around the world?" or request specific news topics. As data sources, he scans web pages and posts on X, then provides a brief summary in the form of a list. This might be my new favorite way to quickly get information about what's happening.

Improved Context Understanding

Grok's ability to analyze entire message streams on platforms like X significantly improves context understanding. This feature allows Grok to delve deeper into discussions, providing analysis not only of a single message or comment but of the entire discussion. This is especially useful for those who need a comprehensive overview of a discussion on a topic, from social media sentiments to academic discussions.

Prompt for Grok2: "What has Elon Musk been writing about the most on X in the last 24 hours?"

Grok2's Response: In the last 24 hours on X, Elon Musk has been writing the most about:

• Population and Demographics. Musk expressed concern about demographic collapse, particularly noting the demographic situation in Korea.

• Economic Issues. He discussed topics such as national debt and inflation, emphasizing that excessive government spending contributes to inflation.

• Technology and Space. Musk talked about how to create life on multiple planets, indicating that his focus is on SpaceX's mission.

• Elections and Politics. There are posts hinting at election fraud, though the context suggests criticism rather than a direct claim.

These topics reflect Musk's interests in technology, economics, and broader societal issues. However, the content also includes memes, replies to other users, and brief comments on various topics. Often, the posts express concern or criticism regarding current global and economic trends.

PDF Analysis and Interaction

Grok2 has mastered the art of decoding PDF files, allowing users to interact with documents using modern methods. Grok2 turns static documents into interactive knowledge bases - from extracting information to answering queries based on the content of the PDF. This is very important for professionals working with research, legal documents, or any other industry where document analysis plays a key role. Did you want to become a document professional? Now you have a chance.

In this example, I asked Grok2 to act as a stock advisor and review a 22-page PDF file with the results of Rogers Communications' activities for the 3rd quarter of 2024. Let's see what Grok2 found.

The response was quite comprehensive and covered key areas such as revenue, adjusted EBITDA, net income, free cash flow, key operating metrics, segment metrics, forecast information, as well as a detailed breakdown of pros and cons. It contains excellent information.

While I will not provide the entire analysis here, I will highlight the final part, which summarizes the conclusions made by Grok2 during the report analysis:

Grok 2's response:

Given all of the above, Rogers Communications is a reliable investment at this stage due to high operating performance, strategic network development, and active financial management aimed at reducing debt. However, investors should monitor the dynamics of competition in the cable sector and broader economic factors that may affect consumer spending and the regulatory environment. Overall, if you are looking for subscriber base growth, technological leadership, and financial well-being in the telecommunications sector, Rogers can be considered a good investment, with the caveat that you need to stay abreast of market conditions and regulatory changes.

Wit and Rebellious Insight

As I mentioned at the very beginning, Grok2 has its own twist.
It is programmed to answer questions wittily and rebelliously, making the interaction not only pleasant but also thought-provoking. This playful approach inspires users to think outside the box, fostering creative problem-solving while providing a lighter and more enjoyable experience.

Prompt for Grok2 ("Fun Mode"): "Grok, how would Billy Idol explain how to make a paper airplane?"

Let's see how this rebellious AI conveys the mood of a rock star!

Grok2's response:

Alright, here's how Billy Idol would tell you to make a paper airplane:

"Start with a sheet of paper, rebel! Fold it in half like you're folding your rebellion into one compact package. Now open it up, because we're not done yet. Take the top corners and bring them to the middle crease - just like that, make it sharp, make it edgy!

Now fold those sides again, like you're squeezing the last drop of rock 'n' roll out of the night. Then flip the top part back, like you're styling your hair before hitting the stage. Turn it over, because we're not afraid to show both sides of our character.

Fold the wings down, make them symmetrical if you don't want your plane to take a rebellious turn. Now grab it by the nose - hold it like you mean it. Give it a good, strong throw, and watch it soar, baby! Just like you fly through life, with the wind in your hair and shouting 'More, more, more!'.

Remember, this isn't just a paper airplane, it's your ticket to freedom!"

I must say, this response was very disappointing! Not only was it obvious that it was an AI-generated response, but it also completely failed to capture Billy Idol's vibe. Let's be honest - Billy Idol would never settle for a boring, template explanation. He's way cooler than that. He'd probably stick a firecracker on the plane for extra effect before launching it into the air! 😎🎸

Image Generation and Analysis

Grok2 goes beyond text: it can understand and generate images based on user prompts. This feature is especially useful in creative industries or for those who need visual representations of concepts or data. Grok can even suggest ideas for image generation, making it an interesting tool for developing creative abilities.

All this is fun, but let's talk about what has always annoyed me when working with AI-generated images. As you know, it is very difficult to create the same image of a person - try placing the same person in a different scene, and the AI usually produces a completely different person.

When I used Grok2 to create an image of a woman, I was pleasantly surprised. I could recreate her in various outfits and settings while maintaining the uniformity of her appearance. Of course, the images you are about to see were created solely for research purposes 😉.

Prompt: «Create an image of a realistic looking blonde woman in a bikini in the style of Baywatch.».

Prompt for Grok2: «In a sundress.».

(I didn't even ask Grok2 to create the same person! I just continued the dialogue in the same Grok2 prompt window where the original image was created, and Grok2 instinctively understood that it needed to recreate her - but this time in a sundress. Impressive, right?)

Prompt for Grok2: “In jeans and a tee, relaxing on an old house porch.”

And here Grok2 goes further, creating the same woman but in a relaxed setting. It's amazing how it maintains similarity even when the scene changes. I didn't ask for exactly such a low-cut tee, Grok2 just knew it was more suitable for the beach theme.

Prompt for Grok2: “Now she is at a red carpet event.”

Boom! Grok2 moves her from the veranda to the spotlight! The transition is smooth, and it maintains the integrity of the image, giving her a glamorous red carpet atmosphere. It's impressive how well it adapts to different conditions without losing the character's resemblance.

In my opinion, Grok2 did an excellent job of creating different images of the same person. It seemed to even take into account personality traits, adding additional details. This is where Grok2 really stands out compared to other AIs like Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, and ChatGPT. They just can't generate a consistent character like Grok2 does, especially in different places and different outfits.

So, if you need to create a character and transfer them to different situations or change their wardrobe, Grok2 can easily handle this task.

Extended Document and Message Analysis

Thanks to its ability to summarize, analyze, and provide contextual information about posts and documents, Grok2 is a powerful tool for content creators, researchers, and marketers who want to explore engagement, impact, and all the nuances of digital content. You can upload your social media statistics, and it will analyze them in detail, but for this example, I decided to keep it simple and use an image of a product page from a music store.

So, let's take a screenshot of the Kramer electric guitar ad and see what Grok2 can say about it with just one prompt. I'm curious to see how it interprets and analyzes the product!

Prompt for Grok2: "Analyze the following product image."

Grok2's response:

Product Image Analysis:

• Brand and Model:

• The guitar is a Kramer Baretta electric guitar in ebony finish.
  SKU: #776832, Model: #KBVEBBF.

• Price:

• The listed price is $1,149.00.

• Financing option available with payments from $121 per month.

• Availability:

• The product is available for online purchase and is in stock, with a promise of shipment within 1 business day.

• Features and Benefits:

• Free setup included: This is very important as guitar setup can be costly.

• Playability guarantee: Likely a warranty or service related to the guitar's performance or maintenance.

• Performance guarantee: Provides a certain level of assurance against manufacturing defects or issues.

• The Long & McQuade Advantage: This may refer to additional benefits or policies offered by Long & McQuade, such as their return policy or customer service.

• User Reviews:

• The guitar has a 5-star rating based on 2 reviews, indicating high user satisfaction.

• Product Description:

• The guitar falls into the category of electric guitars, specifically the electric 6-string segment, indicating that it is a standard model for both beginner and advanced musicians.

• Visual Aesthetics:

• The guitar has a sleek black finish with a maple neck, which is common for this model. The black body with a lighter neck is a popular aesthetic choice for electric guitars.

• Additional Information:

• The website offers the option to add the item to a wishlist or share it, enhancing user engagement and ease of purchase.

• Brand Reputation:

• Kramer is known as a manufacturer of quality electric guitars, especially favored by rock and metal guitarists. The Baretta series is well-known for its playability and value.

• Retailer:

• Long & McQuade is a well-known Canadian musical instrument retailer, which may assure buyers of the product's authenticity and after-sales service.

Conclusions: The Kramer Baretta electric guitar in ebony color is an excellent option for musicians looking for a reliable electric guitar with additional customization and warranty options. The price, combined with the brand's reputation and seller's services, makes it an attractive purchase for both beginners and experienced guitarists.

I believe that Grok2 did an excellent job providing an organized image analysis. I liked that it was able to determine things like color, the fact that it is a 6-string guitar, and even the maple neck - all based solely on the image. These details were not mentioned in any text on the image, which shows how well Grok2 can extract information from what it "sees". I also asked it what could be improved in the product description, and it gave 15 suggestions - although I won't insert them all here, it is worth noting that Grok2 can really help improve your content, such as product listings, with just a few prompts.

My conclusions about Grok2

I really liked a lot about Grok2. Is it perfect? No. But is it fun, fast, and great at most tasks? Absolutely. In this article, I talked about many of Grok2's great features. It is great for analyzing things like financial reports and company documents, and you can even upload blood test results in PDF format for the program to analyze your health and provide a report as if it were your doctor.

Grok2 is designed to enhance human curiosity and productivity through contextual and creative real-time interaction. With its unique capabilities - from working with PDF files to providing detailed answers - Grok2 stands out among many other AIs. It allows you to explore the vast realms of human knowledge and creativity while having fun. If you create content, are passionate about technology, or love to delve deep into topics, Grok2 will offer you a new, exciting way to interact with the digital world. I will use it more often and will report on it as I learn more about it.

Have you tried Grok2? Tell me about your impressions in the comments.