X launches Aurora, a new image generator for Grok

X, the Elon Musk-owned social media platform, has introduced Aurora, a new image generator integrated into its Grok assistant. However, the feature, which went live briefly on Saturday, seemed to vanish for some users shortly after.

Similar to Flux, the first image generator added to Grok in October, Aurora appears to operate with minimal restrictions. Accessible via the Grok tab on X’s mobile apps and web platform, Aurora can generate images of public figures and copyrighted characters, such as Mickey Mouse, without objection. While it avoided creating explicit nudes during tests, it did allow graphic content.

Announced by xAI, Musk’s artificial intelligence startup that develops Grok and other AI-powered features for X, Aurora was unveiled in posts on X early Saturday. However, the team did not specify whether Aurora was independently developed.


“This is our internal image generation system,” Musk wrote in a post on X. “Still in beta, but it will improve fast.”


Aurora has demonstrated proficiency in creating photorealistic images, including landscapes and still life compositions, but its performance is not without flaws. X users reported issues such as distorted objects and anatomically incorrect human figures, including people missing fingers—a common challenge for image generators.

Aurora’s release coincides with X making Grok accessible to all users for free. Previously limited to only subscribed users, Grok now allows free users to send up to 10 messages every two hours and generate up to three images per day.