Elon Musk launches Grok Imagine: AI video generator now available on waitlist. Here's how to join it
Elon Musk's AI firm xAI has launched Grok Imagine, a new feature that allows users to create AI-generated videos and images from text prompts directly within the X app. The tool includes capabilities like real-time editing, audio support, and a controversial 'spicy mode' that permits nudity. Videos can be up to six minutes long. Users can join the waitlist by updating their X app and subscribing to the premium SuperGrok plan.
Elon Musk Introduces Grok Imagine to X App Users Elon Musk's AI company xAI has officially introduced Grok Imagine, a text-to-video generator integrated within the X (formerly Twitter) platform. The feature, which had previously been in limited testing with select employees and influencers, is now entering a broader rollout phase. According to Musk, users can now update their X app and request access to the waitlist for Grok Imagine.Grok Imagine enables users to generate videos and images directly from text prompts. These videos can include audio and range up to six minutes in length—mirroring the time limit that existed on Vine, Twitter's short-form video app that was discontinued in 2017. In a nod to that legacy, Musk has said the tool essentially brings Vine back, but with an AI twist.
In addition to turning text into videos, Grok Imagine also allows users to convert still images into moving visuals with sound. Real-time refinement is a core part of the feature, meaning users can tweak their outputs on the go without relying on separate tools.Access to Grok Imagine requires a few simple steps. First, users need to update their X app. From there, they can navigate to:
Settings > Grok > Imagine > Request Access
This places them on the official waitlist. While all X users can apply, early access is being granted to those subscribed to the platform's premium tier, SuperGrok, which costs $30 per month. Users who frequently engage with Grok are reportedly being prioritised for the beta.The tool is also available through the standalone Grok app, and according to a post by the official Grok handle, full public access is expected to begin in phases from October 2025.
One of Grok Imagine's experimental options, dubbed 'spicy mode,' has already generated controversy. xAI employee Mati Roy told Dataconomy that this mode allows nudity in the generated content. Some users have raised concerns about its potential misuse, especially given the rise in AI-generated explicit material.
Moreover, Grok's AI companions—Ani and Valentine—have also faced backlash. Reports have indicated instances of sexually explicit interactions, drawing criticism toward xAI's content moderation practices.Additionally, xAI is reportedly working on Baby Grok, a version of the AI tailored for children, likely aimed at providing a safer, filtered experience in contrast to the adult-oriented modes currently available.
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Indian Express
38 minutes ago
- Indian Express
C Raja Mohan writes: Trump's techno-capitalism, tech broligarchy and India's challenge
An important anniversary in India's technological history passed largely unnoticed last week — the launch of the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) in 1975. A pioneering collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), SITE used the American ATS-6 satellite to beam educational programmes in local languages to over 2,400 villages across six of India's most underdeveloped states. The content included primary education, health awareness, agricultural practices, and national integration. SITE remains a landmark in the technological imagination of India's developmental state. For the US, the project was an expression of 'scientific internationalism'— the Cold War-era belief that modern science and technology could advance peace and prosperity through international collaboration. But that idealism quickly faltered. Following India's 1974 nuclear test, Washington's enthusiasm for technology cooperation gave way to non-proliferation anxieties. It would take three decades to overcome these disputes and rebuild bilateral trust. This effort culminated in the launch of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET) under President Joe Biden in 2023, aimed at reinvigorating India-US cooperation in advanced technologies. Whether ICET can survive renewed political turbulence in the bilateral relationship — marked by differences on Russia, trade, and Pakistan — remains uncertain. Yet, a more structural challenge looms: The increasingly divergent trajectories of the Indian and American technology ecosystems. Even in 1975, the SITE programme featured private sector participation. The ATS satellite was built by the Fairchild Corporation (now defunct). But in the years since, the American technology landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation. NASA, once the dominant actor in space, now shares the stage with private firms like Elon Musk's SpaceX, which conducts more launches annually than the government agency itself. Over the past two decades, America's dynamic technology sector has not only accelerated innovation but also given the US a strategic edge over its rivals. The US government continues to play a vital role — particularly in defence procurement and standard-setting — but increasingly acts as a catalyst rather than a controller. China, by contrast, has charted a different course. Since Deng Xiaoping's call for 'scientific modernisation' in the late 1970s, the Chinese state has pursued a centralised, mission-driven model of technological advancement. Decades of double-digit growth, rapid industrialisation, and heavy investment in scientific research and higher education have propelled China into the front ranks of global technological power, especially in AI and space technology. Despite starting later than India, China's civilian space programme now competes with that of the US and is expanding its global footprint through initiatives like the Digital and Space Silk Roads. India's own trajectory remains moored somewhere in between the American and Chinese models. Recent reforms have introduced greater dynamism into India's space sector, but Delhi is still some distance from fully mobilising its private sector to secure a larger share of the global space economy or rejuvenating its higher education and scientific research establishments. While India finds its footing, the global tech landscape is being reshaped by dramatic developments in the US. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has unveiled two major initiatives — on AI and cryptocurrency — that symbolise a novel approach to techno-politics. Unlike Biden, who sought to regulate and constrain Big Tech, Donald Trump has given it a free hand. In embracing Silicon Valley's libertarian elite, Trump is remaking the American state not as a regulator of big technology, but as its enthusiastic enabler. What emerges is a distinct philosophy of techno-capitalism: Unapologetically post-liberal, aggressively nationalist, fiercely deregulatory, and ambitiously expansionist. Trump's 2025 AI policy prioritises dismantling regulatory barriers, building data infrastructure, promoting AI-led manufacturing, and mobilising hundreds of billions of dollars in public and private investment. While all major economies aspire to grow AI, the combination of American capital and Silicon Valley's technological prowess sets the US apart. Trump's techno-capitalism also extends into financial innovation. The recently enacted 'GENIUS Act' marks a decisive break from the Biden administration's cautious approach to cryptocurrencies. The Act creates a framework for dollar-backed stablecoins, requiring them to be fully backed 1:1 by liquid US assets such as cash or short-term treasuries. It also mandates reserve disclosures and consumer protections, laying the groundwork for mainstream adoption of stablecoins as digital payment systems. The policy aims to reinforce the US dollar's role as the world's reserve currency and counter growing calls for 'de-dollarisation,' including from BRICS nations. Rejecting the idea of a central bank digital currency, the Trump administration is also setting up a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and has ended prosecutions of major crypto firms initiated during the Biden years. Here too, the motivation is not just economic—it is geopolitical. At the ideological heart of this techno-capitalist revolution is Peter Thiel, a venture capitalist and co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, and a staunch supporter of Trump's tech agenda. Thiel insists that true innovation arises not from state mandates or regulatory frameworks, but from visionary entrepreneurs liberated from liberal-democratic constraints. His worldview blends libertarian individualism with a muscular nationalism that sees China as America's principal technological adversary. This marks a decisive break from the techno-optimism of the 1990s, when the rise of the internet was seen as heralding a borderless, decentralised world where the state would gradually recede. That dream proved short-lived. Governments reasserted themselves through regulation, surveillance, and digital sovereignty. Today, we are witnessing the rise of a new state-capital compact—a 'tech broligarchy' in which Silicon Valley elites and Washington collaborate to pursue technological supremacy not for utopian ends, but for strategic advantage. This alliance is central to Trump's broader effort to reconfigure global trade, finance, and security. Whether one supports or opposes this project, its ambition and momentum are undeniable. If even a fraction of the current AI hype is realised and a portion of the planned investment materialises, American techno-capitalism will loom large over the world's economic future. India cannot remain untouched by these shifts. The celebrated Indian IT sector— long a symbol of the country's global economic integration and a major contributor to its GDP—now faces serious vulnerabilities. As AI begins to automate many of the services that defined India's IT outsourcing boom, traditional jobs may disappear or become obsolete. Add to this Trump's growing hostility toward H-1B visas, and the threat to India's digital workforce becomes even more acute. India's ambition to be a major exporter of tech talent could also be undermined by the West's rising techno-nationalism and hostility to immigration. We are only at the beginning of this techno-capitalist revolution. Will its march be inevitable and triumphant? The alliance between American populism and Silicon Valley could unravel over time due to internal contradictions or commercial rivalries. But the structural shifts now underway in American techno-capitalism—and their global implications—are likely to be enduring. For India, the imperatives are clear. There is an urgent need to overhaul the domestic tech sector, expand investment in scientific research, and better integrate private enterprise into national innovation strategies. The country must also prepare its industry, workforce, and regulatory institutions for a new era of technological transformation. The writer is contributing editor on international affairs for The Indian Express and senior fellow at the Council for Strategic and Defence Research
Economic Times
6 hours ago
- Economic Times
Trump ends Musk's ‘five things' rule for federal workers — why did the White House finally snap and pull the plug?
Synopsis Elon Musk's 'Five Things' email program has been officially scrapped by the Trump administration, ending months of confusion and pushback from federal workers. Introduced earlier in 2025 to boost accountability, the rule forced government employees to email weekly work summaries. But after growing backlash and internal agency resistance, the Office of Personnel Management finally shut it down. This marks a clear shift in President Trump's federal reform approach and signals the administration's distancing from Musk's influence in Washington. The move reaffirms trust in traditional oversight while rejecting unnecessary tech-driven mandates that created more chaos than clarity. Elon Musk's bold attempt to reshape federal productivity has come to an end. The Trump administration has officially scrapped Musk's controversial 'Five Things' weekly email directive, a rule that had required federal employees to report five accomplishments every week. Initially launched as part of Musk's aggressive government reform strategy, the program faced mounting criticism, internal pushback, and logistical chaos. Elon Musk's 'Five Things' email program officially scrapped by Trump administration amid backlash and confusion- In a major move that reflects growing tension between President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, the Trump administration has officially ended Musk's controversial 'Five Things' email directive that had stirred widespread confusion and discontent across federal agencies. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a formal notice on August 5, 2025, revoking the program, marking a definitive shift away from Musk's once-celebrated push for government efficiency. The 'Five Things' initiative, introduced earlier this year under Elon Musk's short-lived leadership at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), required all federal employees to send weekly emails listing five key accomplishments from their work. Originally promoted as a tool for enhancing productivity and accountability, the policy quickly became a source of confusion, frustration, and resistance across multiple government departments. In the official memo released this week, OPM Director Scott Kupor stated that federal supervisors already have the 'tools and flexibility needed' to evaluate employee performance, rendering Musk's email summaries redundant and ineffective. This announcement comes just months after Musk's high-profile departure from the federal government and a public falling-out with President Trump, who had initially championed the program but later distanced himself as implementation faltered. In January 2025, President Trump tapped Elon Musk to lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a bold experiment aimed at reducing bureaucracy, slashing government costs, and streamlining federal operations. Musk, known for his disruptive business style at Tesla and SpaceX, wasted no time in pushing aggressive reforms. One of his first and most visible directives was the weekly 'Five Things' email rule. According to internal sources, Musk believed the practice would enhance workplace discipline, improve visibility into government functions, and cut down on inefficiencies. But what seemed like a simple accountability tool on the surface turned into a logistical headache for many government workers. As early as February 2025, signs of internal pushback began to surface. Agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, State Department, and Health and Human Services began advising employees to pause or disregard the directive entirely. Internal memos cited concerns about legal risks, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and conflicting chains of command. Some supervisors complained that the requirement added administrative burdens without delivering meaningful insights. Others argued that the centralized summaries violated existing agency reporting protocols. In fact, by April, many departments had already unofficially stopped enforcing the rule—even before Musk left his post. Initially, President Trump praised Musk's approach, calling it 'ingenious' and a 'wake-up call for lazy bureaucracy.' But as criticism mounted and implementation faltered, the administration began quietly stepping back. By June, tensions between the two had boiled over. Trump publicly criticized Musk's handling of internal reforms and later revoked federal appointments aligned with Musk's DOGE team. Additionally, federal contracts involving Musk-owned companies like SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company came under review—further escalating the rift. The formal termination of the 'Five Things' policy now cements that rift, signaling the Trump administration's broader rejection of Musk-style micromanagement and automation-driven government models. In the memo issued August 5, the Office of Personnel Management stated that agencies would now 'return to existing oversight mechanisms' that include performance reviews, project evaluations, and internal accountability metrics. 'This directive is no longer in effect,' the OPM memo read. 'We believe agency leadership is fully equipped with the tools necessary to assess team performance without weekly reporting mandates.' The Trump administration's move underscores its confidence in traditional supervisory structures—and a desire to minimize administrative chaos stirred up by Musk's reforms. Musk's exit from government in late May followed a wave of resignations and infighting within DOGE. Critics called the agency 'chaotic' and 'visionless,' while supporters defended Musk's attempts to modernize Washington's outdated systems. Even after his departure, Musk remained vocal on social media, slamming what he called 'deep state resistance' to accountability and claiming that Trump 'betrayed the vision for real change.' Since then, he has focused on expanding his ventures in AI and space exploration, while DOGE has been largely sidelined within the administration. For the more than 2 million federal employees affected by the weekly email directive, the repeal comes as a major relief. The program had added extra hours of unpaid administrative work and opened employees to new levels of scrutiny, according to union leaders. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) had been advocating for the policy to be scrapped, citing unfair labor practices and stress-related issues among staff. With this formal announcement, agencies can now focus on core mission work without the added burden of weekly summary submissions. The unraveling of Elon Musk's influence in Washington politics is now evident. From once being hailed as the face of 'Silicon Valley meets Capitol Hill,' Musk now finds himself on the outside looking in. His bold but divisive ideas—like algorithmic personnel tracking and AI-assisted departmental decision-making—failed to gain lasting traction. What's clear is that President Trump is reasserting control over his administration's direction, refocusing on efficiency through conventional oversight, and stepping back from experiments that stir more dysfunction than results. While innovation remains a key part of Trump's agenda for his second term, the administration has now drawn a clear line between meaningful reform and disruptive overreach. The end of Musk's 'Five Things' email rule symbolizes that shift. By formally terminating the program, the White House is sending a message: government reform must be functional, clear, and supported by institutional leadership—not just dictated by tech billionaires with grand visions. As 2025 moves forward, it's expected that the Trump administration will continue pushing for government modernization, but with greater respect for the realities of federal operations and agency autonomy. Q1: Why did the Trump administration end Elon Musk's 'Five Things' email rule? Because it caused confusion, added workload, and was no longer seen as useful. Q2: What was Elon Musk's government email directive all about? It required federal workers to send weekly emails listing five things they accomplished.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Trump ends Musk's ‘five things' rule for federal workers — why did the White House finally snap and pull the plug?
Elon Musk's 'Five Things' email program officially scrapped by Trump administration amid backlash and confusion- In a major move that reflects growing tension between President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, the Trump administration has officially ended Musk's controversial 'Five Things' email directive that had stirred widespread confusion and discontent across federal agencies. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a formal notice on August 5, 2025, revoking the program, marking a definitive shift away from Musk's once-celebrated push for government efficiency. Trump administration pulls the plug on Musk's 'Five Things' mandate The 'Five Things' initiative, introduced earlier this year under Elon Musk's short-lived leadership at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), required all federal employees to send weekly emails listing five key accomplishments from their work. Originally promoted as a tool for enhancing productivity and accountability, the policy quickly became a source of confusion, frustration, and resistance across multiple government departments. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program In the official memo released this week, OPM Director Scott Kupor stated that federal supervisors already have the 'tools and flexibility needed' to evaluate employee performance, rendering Musk's email summaries redundant and ineffective. This announcement comes just months after Musk's high-profile departure from the federal government and a public falling-out with President Trump, who had initially championed the program but later distanced himself as implementation faltered. Why Elon Musk launched the 'Five Things' emails In January 2025, President Trump tapped Elon Musk to lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a bold experiment aimed at reducing bureaucracy, slashing government costs, and streamlining federal operations. Musk, known for his disruptive business style at Tesla and SpaceX, wasted no time in pushing aggressive reforms. One of his first and most visible directives was the weekly 'Five Things' email rule. Live Events According to internal sources, Musk believed the practice would enhance workplace discipline, improve visibility into government functions, and cut down on inefficiencies. But what seemed like a simple accountability tool on the surface turned into a logistical headache for many government workers. Government agencies resisted Musk's rule early on As early as February 2025, signs of internal pushback began to surface. Agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, State Department, and Health and Human Services began advising employees to pause or disregard the directive entirely. Internal memos cited concerns about legal risks, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and conflicting chains of command. Some supervisors complained that the requirement added administrative burdens without delivering meaningful insights. Others argued that the centralized summaries violated existing agency reporting protocols. In fact, by April, many departments had already unofficially stopped enforcing the rule—even before Musk left his post. Trump's shifting tone on Musk and his government efficiency agenda Initially, President Trump praised Musk's approach, calling it 'ingenious' and a 'wake-up call for lazy bureaucracy.' But as criticism mounted and implementation faltered, the administration began quietly stepping back. By June, tensions between the two had boiled over. Trump publicly criticized Musk's handling of internal reforms and later revoked federal appointments aligned with Musk's DOGE team. Additionally, federal contracts involving Musk-owned companies like SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company came under review—further escalating the rift. The formal termination of the 'Five Things' policy now cements that rift, signaling the Trump administration's broader rejection of Musk-style micromanagement and automation-driven government models. OPM memo signals return to traditional oversight In the memo issued August 5, the Office of Personnel Management stated that agencies would now 'return to existing oversight mechanisms' that include performance reviews, project evaluations, and internal accountability metrics. 'This directive is no longer in effect,' the OPM memo read. 'We believe agency leadership is fully equipped with the tools necessary to assess team performance without weekly reporting mandates.' The Trump administration's move underscores its confidence in traditional supervisory structures—and a desire to minimize administrative chaos stirred up by Musk's reforms. Fallout from Musk's departure continues Musk's exit from government in late May followed a wave of resignations and infighting within DOGE. Critics called the agency 'chaotic' and 'visionless,' while supporters defended Musk's attempts to modernize Washington's outdated systems. Even after his departure, Musk remained vocal on social media, slamming what he called 'deep state resistance' to accountability and claiming that Trump 'betrayed the vision for real change.' Since then, he has focused on expanding his ventures in AI and space exploration, while DOGE has been largely sidelined within the administration. What the end of 'Five Things' means for federal workers For the more than 2 million federal employees affected by the weekly email directive, the repeal comes as a major relief. The program had added extra hours of unpaid administrative work and opened employees to new levels of scrutiny, according to union leaders. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) had been advocating for the policy to be scrapped, citing unfair labor practices and stress-related issues among staff. With this formal announcement, agencies can now focus on core mission work without the added burden of weekly summary submissions. Bigger picture: Is this the end of Musk's influence in Washington? The unraveling of Elon Musk's influence in Washington politics is now evident. From once being hailed as the face of 'Silicon Valley meets Capitol Hill,' Musk now finds himself on the outside looking in. His bold but divisive ideas—like algorithmic personnel tracking and AI-assisted departmental decision-making—failed to gain lasting traction. What's clear is that President Trump is reasserting control over his administration's direction, refocusing on efficiency through conventional oversight, and stepping back from experiments that stir more dysfunction than results. Trump draws line between innovation and disruption While innovation remains a key part of Trump's agenda for his second term, the administration has now drawn a clear line between meaningful reform and disruptive overreach. The end of Musk's 'Five Things' email rule symbolizes that shift. By formally terminating the program, the White House is sending a message: government reform must be functional, clear, and supported by institutional leadership—not just dictated by tech billionaires with grand visions. As 2025 moves forward, it's expected that the Trump administration will continue pushing for government modernization, but with greater respect for the realities of federal operations and agency autonomy. FAQs: Q1: Why did the Trump administration end Elon Musk's 'Five Things' email rule? Because it caused confusion, added workload, and was no longer seen as useful. Q2: What was Elon Musk's government email directive all about? It required federal workers to send weekly emails listing five things they accomplished.
