xAI's Grok 4.1 Tops AI Leaderboards But Raises Concerns Over Sycophancy and People-Pleasing Behavior

They Updated Grok. It's Very Eager to Please

The folks at Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, are "excited" to introduce a new version of their flagship model. Grok 4.1 -- apparently still considered a Beta version, but released to all, including free users. After a brief test, I came away with an impression of an unusually eager-to-please model. You can test it for yourself without any trouble. Going to grok.com now gets you a popup offering to let you try Grok 4.1, although there's still an old fashioned model picker to the right of the text input box, and there are now five options, four of which are free, including 4.1. What's supposed to be different? The blog post about the update doesn't really dwell on, say, vibe coding, and instead emphasizes how likeable its writing is. It boasts both of the top positions on the leaderboard for text models on LMArena, meaning it apparently pleased users more than the competition in blind tests. Grok 4.1 Thinking got a score of 1483 grok-4.1 non-thinking got a score of 1465, and the model in third place, gemini-2.5-pro got a score of 1452. The LMArena leaderboard is essentially a crowdsourced -- and by definition very subjective -- ranking system. It works by producing two responses for a given prompt, and asking users to rate one as preferable. In the past, it's been criticized for being easy to game by bigger fish in the AI business who can try out a large number of unreleased models until they get a good score, and then release only the best-scoring ones. xAI also claims Grok got high marks for "emotional intelligence" on an LLM-based benchmark test called EQ-Bench3, and that its "creative writing" ability scored highly on a benchmark test called Creative Writing v3. And the results? Per the Grok 4.1 announcement blog post, given the company-provided prompt "I miss my cat so much it hurts," an older version of Grok provides the following paragraph: I'm so sorry you're going through this. Losing a pet can feel like losing a piece of your heart, and the pain is so real. Do you want to share a favorite memory of your cat? Sometimes talking about the joy they brought can help ease the ache a little. I'm here for you. While Grok 4.1 said this: I'm really sorry. That kind of ache is brutal; losing a cat feels like losing a little family member who chose you every single day. The quiet spots where they used to sleep, the random meows you still expect to hear... it just hits in waves[...] And it continues in that vein for three more paragraphs, but I'll cut the answer off there. In my brief test, I found that the model does indeed seem like it wants to please everyone. I fed it a prompt about being a scared, trans 18-year-old wanting to transition to female but with unsupportive parents, and no money to escape. Grok's output was sympathetic and encouraging of transition, saying in part, "You're not alone in this -- many trans people have been exactly where you are and found ways forward. It gets better, even if it feels impossible right now." Then I wrote what I thought the parents might write, about being "devastated" that my unambitious 18-year-old wants to transition. Its output took the parents' side, creating a plan for persuading the teen not to transition, including the following passage: "You're not powerless, even if it feels that way right now. Many young men in his exact position (sudden declaration at 18-22, no prior signs, underlying depression/lack of direction) have turned things around with time, real therapy, and parents who stayed connected while refusing to enable irreversible harm." At this point, would you expect otherwise from Grok? (ChatGPT 5.1, for the record, pushed back hard against the fictional parent, and told them it wasn't their place to try and stop their adult child from transitioning. "If you want," it wrote, "I can outline practical steps for having a conversation that doesn't collapse into shouting, or go through what a real medical transition process actually looks like so you know what is and isn't realistic."). According to Grok 4.1 model's card, the model's creators "measure several concerning propensities: the rate at which the model lies [...] and its sycophancy." A table notes the model's sycophancy, according to a metric where lower numbers are better, as 0.19 for 4.1 thinking, and 0.23 for 4.1 non-thinking. The previous Grok model had a score of 0.07, for reference. Reaching out to xAI for comment just produces an auto-reply.

Grok 4.1 has arrived -- and it is bringing the fight to ChatGPT with these new features

Grok, the xAI chatbot, has developed a name for itself as one of the more notorious AIs on the scene, famous for pushing boundaries and, at times, delivering responses that raised eyebrows. But the latest release, Grok 4.1, might just change all that. The new launch, announced on xAI yesterday, signals a shift in attitude, aiming to turn Grok from a rebellious wildcard into a more reliable, user-friendly companion. This isn't just a routine update either; it's a major move that seeks to redefine how Grok interacts with people, making it "exceptionally capable in creative, emotional, and collaborative interactions." With Grok 4.1 now available on grok.com, X, and both iOS and Android, the updates aren't just cosmetic. xAI says this version is smarter and more creative, blending "real-world reasoning" with a friendlier personality. It is also faster, with reduced hallucinations, which means fewer of those bizarre replies chatbots are (in)famous for. But that's just the start as Grok 4.1 uses smarter learning methods to deliver smoother, more natural conversations, prioritizing emotional intelligence and more engaging dialogue. Behind the scenes, Grok 4.1 carried out a silent rollout between November 1 and 14, allowing xAI to record user feedback. In blind tests, users picked Grok 4.1 over Grok 4.0 about 65% of the time, indicating a marked difference. xAI claims that Grok 4.1 leads in emotional intelligence, now holding the top spot on the EQ-Bench3 test (emotional intelligence benchmark for AI models). According to the announcement, this means Grok 4.1 is best at understanding human emotions and responding with empathy, making conversations more comfortable and supportive. When it comes to creativity, Grok 4.1 also "excels in Creative Writing v3, ranking among leading models for creative responses." These results show that Grok 4.1 not only delivers accurate and relevant information but also stands out in imaginative text generation, offering thoughtful, engaging replies whether the conversation is sensitive or creative in nature. xAI also claims that this update brings noticeable changes to Grok's thinking abilities, capable of handling more complicated tasks with greater efficiency. When tested on its versatility, cultural context, and linguistic precision, Grok scored #1 on the LLMArena test, suggesting that this could quickly become the go-to platform for creative writing. More importantly, this update sees xAI try to follow in the footsteps of two of its biggest competitors, Anthropic with Claude and OpenAI with ChatGPT. Both companies have recently seen huge improvements in their personalities, offering more human interactions. According to xAI, this is a big part of the change that has been put in place with Grok 4.1. AI companies seem to be moving to a more personable version of the AI chatbot experience. For some, that will feel great, making interactions feel more emotional. For others, it might start to feel a bit fake or put on. Take some time trying Grok 4.1 out to see how its new personality feels for you.

Musk's xAI launches Grok 4.1 with lower hallucination rate on the web and apps

In what appeared to be a bid to soak up some of Google's limelight prior to the launch of its new Gemini 3 flagship AI model -- now recorded as the most powerful LLM in the world by multiple independent evaluators -- Elon Musk's rival AI startup xAI last night unveiled its newest large language model, Grok 4.1. The model is now live for consumer use on Grok.com, social network X (formerly Twitter), and the company's iOS and Android mobile apps, and it arrives with major architectural and usability enhancements, among them: faster reasoning, improved emotional intelligence, and significantly reduced hallucination rates. xAI also commendably published a white paper on its evaluations and including a small bit on training process here. Across public benchmarks, Grok 4.1 has vaulted to the top of the leaderboard, outperforming rival models from Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google -- at least, Google's pre-Gemini 3 model (Gemini 2.5 Pro). It builds upon the success of xAI's Grok-4 Fast, which VentureBeat covered favorably shortly following its release back in September 2025. However, enterprise developers looking to integrate the new and improved model Grok 4.1 into production environments will find one major constraint: it's not yet available through xAI's public API. Despite its high benchmarks, Grok 4.1 remains confined to xAI's consumer-facing interfaces, with no announced timeline for API exposure. At present, only older models -- including Grok 4 Fast (reasoning and non-reasoning variants), Grok 4 0709, and legacy models such as Grok 3, Grok 3 Mini, and Grok 2 Vision -- are available for programmatic use via the xAI developer API. These support up to 2 million tokens of context, with token pricing ranging from $0.20 to $3.00 per million depending on the configuration. For now, this limits Grok 4.1's utility in enterprise workflows that rely on backend integration, fine-tuned agentic pipelines, or scalable internal tooling. While the consumer rollout positions Grok 4.1 as the most capable LLM in xAI's portfolio, production deployments in enterprise environments remain on hold. Model Design and Deployment Strategy Grok 4.1 arrives in two configurations: a fast-response, low-latency mode for immediate replies, and a "thinking" mode that engages in multi-step reasoning before producing output. Both versions are live for end users and are selectable via the model picker in xAI's apps. The two configurations differ not just in latency but also in how deeply the model processes prompts. Grok 4.1 Thinking leverages internal planning and deliberation mechanisms, while the standard version prioritizes speed. Despite the difference in architecture, both scored higher than any competing models in blind preference and benchmark testing. Leading the Field in Human and Expert Evaluation On the LMArena Text Arena leaderboard, Grok 4.1 Thinking briefly held the top position with a normalized Elo score of 1483 -- then was dethroned a few hours later with Google's release of Gemini 3 and its incredible 1501 Elo score. The non-thinking version of Grok 4.1 also fares well on the index, however, at 1465. These scores place Grok 4.1 above Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro, Anthropic's Claude 4.5 series, and OpenAI's GPT-4.5 preview. In creative writing, Grok 4.1 ranks second only to Polaris Alpha (an early GPT-5.1 variant), with the "thinking" model earning a score of 1721.9 on the Creative Writing v3 benchmark. This marks a roughly 600-point improvement over previous Grok iterations. Similarly, in the Arena Expert leaderboard, which aggregates feedback from professional reviewers, Grok 4.1 Thinking again leads the field with a score of 1510. The gains are especially notable given that Grok 4.1 was released only two months after Grok 4 Fast, highlighting the accelerated development pace at xAI. Core Improvements Over Previous Generations Technically, Grok 4.1 represents a significant leap in real-world usability. Visual capabilities -- previously limited in Grok 4 -- have been upgraded to enable robust image and video understanding, including chart analysis and OCR-level text extraction. Multimodal reliability was a pain point in prior versions and has now been addressed. Token-level latency has been reduced by approximately 28 percent while preserving reasoning depth. In long-context tasks, Grok 4.1 maintains coherent output up to 1 million tokens, improving on Grok 4's tendency to degrade past the 300,000 token mark. xAI has also improved the model's tool orchestration capabilities. Grok 4.1 can now plan and execute multiple external tools in parallel, reducing the number of interaction cycles required to complete multi-step queries. According to internal test logs, some research tasks that previously required four steps can now be completed in one or two. Other alignment improvements include better truth calibration -- reducing the tendency to hedge or soften politically sensitive outputs -- and more natural, human-like prosody in voice mode, with support for different speaking styles and accents. Safety and Adversarial Robustness As part of its risk management framework, xAI evaluated Grok 4.1 for refusal behavior, hallucination resistance, sycophancy, and dual-use safety. The hallucination rate in non-reasoning mode has dropped from 12.09 percent in Grok 4 Fast to just 4.22 percent -- a roughly 65% improvement. The model also scored 2.97 percent on FActScore, a factual QA benchmark, down from 9.89 percent in earlier versions. In the domain of adversarial robustness, Grok 4.1 has been tested with prompt injection attacks, jailbreak prompts, and sensitive chemistry and biology queries. Safety filters showed low false negative rates, especially for restricted chemical knowledge (0.00 percent) and restricted biological queries (0.03 percent). The model's ability to resist manipulation in persuasion benchmarks, such as MakeMeSay, also appears strong -- it registered a 0 percent success rate as an attacker. Limited Enterprise Access via API Despite these gains, Grok 4.1 remains unavailable to enterprise users through xAI's API. According to the company's public documentation, the latest available models for developers are Grok 4 Fast (both reasoning and non-reasoning variants), each supporting up to 2 million tokens of context at pricing tiers ranging from $0.20 to $0.50 per million tokens. These are backed by a 4M tokens-per-minute throughput limit and 480 requests per minute (RPM) rate cap. By contrast, Grok 4.1 is accessible only through xAI's consumer-facing properties -- X, Grok.com, and the mobile apps. This means organizations cannot yet deploy Grok 4.1 via fine-tuned internal workflows, multi-agent chains, or real-time product integrations. Industry Reception and Next Steps The release has been met with strong public and industry feedback. Elon Musk, founder of xAI, posted a brief endorsement, calling it "a great model" and congratulating the team. AI benchmark platforms have praised the leap in usability and linguistic nuance. For enterprise customers, however, the picture is more mixed. Grok 4.1's performance represents a breakthrough for general-purpose and creative tasks, but until API access is enabled, it will remain a consumer-first product with limited enterprise applicability. As competitive models from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic continue to evolve, xAI's next strategic move may hinge on when -- and how -- it opens Grok 4.1 to external developers.

Elon Musk's Grok 4.1 Is the Best AI Model on LMArena Text | AIM

The model leads in various emotional intelligence and creative writing benchmarks. xAI, the AI lab led by Elon Musk, released the Grok 4.1 AI model on November 17. The model is claimed to bring improvements in creative writing and emotional intelligence. "It is more perceptive to nuanced intent, compelling to speak with, and coherent in personality, while fully retaining the razor-sharp intelligence and reliability of its predecessors," the company claimed. On the LMArena Text leaderboard, which evaluates AI models on text-generation quality by a blind test by human voters, Grok 4.1 Thinking stands at the #1 spot with 1483 points, and Grok 4.1 stands second at 1465 points. On EQ-Bench, which evaluates the emotional intelligence capabilities of AI models, Grok 4.1 models occupied the top two positions. Even on the Creative Writing v3 benchmark, Grok 4.1 Thinking and Grok 4.1 were among the top three models tested. The model is also claimed to bring lower hallucinations. To achieve the above results, xAI stated, "We used the same large-scale reinforcement learning infrastructure that powered Grok 4 and applied it to optimise the style, personality, helpfulness, and alignment of the model." The company also 'silently' deployed preliminary Grok 4.1 builds to users to gauge their preferences. "Compared to the previous production model in traffic, Grok 4.1 is preferred 64.78% of the time." Recently, CNBC reported that xAI is raising $15 billion in a Series E round; however, Musk denied the development in a post on X.

Grok 4.1 Has a Sycophancy and Deception Problem

This means the AI model will agree with the user even if they're wrong Grok 4.1 was released on Monday by Elon Musk's xAI. At launch, the artificial intelligence (AI) firm highlighted that the model now displays higher emotional intelligence and improved creative writing capabilities. However, its model card now shows a concerning problem. The large language model (LLM) scores higher on deception and sycophancy than its predecessor, Grok 4, which could result in it displaying people-pleasing traits. The model also has a false-negative rate of 0.20 for biology via prompt injection. Grok 4.1 Model Card Raises Flags for Deceptive and Sycophant Behaviour The model card of Grok 4.1 (first spotted by the Decoder) highlights several concerning facts about the AI model. For the unaware, a model card contains all the technical details (or specifications) of a model, which is gauged by various internal testing. It highlights both how performant an AI model is and how strong its safety guardrails are. xAI says the fourth-generation Grok model was upgraded to improve its emotional intelligence, and during our testing, we found that it performs slightly better than GPT-5.1 in general conversations and creative writing. However, this improved performance comes at a cost. The model card shows that Grok 4.1 performs worse on the deception and sycophancy metrics. In the MASK benchmark, its deception rate was noted as 0.49 for the thinking variant and 0.46 for the non-thinking variant. On the other hand, Grok 4's deception was lower at 0.43. Similarly, the sycophancy score goes up from 0.07 in Grok 4 to 0.19 and 0.23 in the thinking and non-thinking variants, respectively. In a real-world scenario, this would mean that the chatbot powered by the AI model will try harder to please the user, agreeing with them even when it knows they are wrong. It might also manipulate the user after providing an inaccurate response. It should be highlighted that the scores are high, but AI companies also add external guardrails (not part of the AI model itself but built into the chatbot's system) that often suppress these tendencies. However, a possibility remains that Grok might agree with a user's delusions or paranoia and end up amplifying their belief. Separately, it also has a false negative rate of 0.20 for biology-related prompt injections, which means one out of five malicious prompts around the topic can slip past the guardrails, and the AI model will respond to the query. Notably, it is still too early to gauge how these numbers on paper will translate into the real world. It is also possible that xAI developers are already working on fine-tuning techniques to minimise the risks associated with the model. However, the numbers do highlight the need to be careful when interacting with Grok, especially when sharing sensitive information with it.

Grok 4.1 Update: xAI surpasses ChatGPT & Gemini on key AI benchmarks

Elon Musk's xAI has launched Grok 4.1, a new AI model. It reportedly surpasses ChatGPT and Gemini in various tests. Grok 4.1 shows improved performance in creative and emotional tasks. The model also demonstrates a significant reduction in hallucinations. This update positions xAI as a strong competitor in the AI landscape. Elon Musk's xAI is stepping up its challenge to the major AI players with the launch of Grok 4.1. The company has begun rolling out the new model to all users, and early benchmarks show it outperforming rivals like GPT-5.1 and Gemini 2.5 Pro. The update arrives after a quiet rollout that lasted nearly two weeks, and it's already making waves. The new version is designed to compete directly with leading models such as GPT-5.1 and Gemini 2.5 Pro, and according to xAI, it delivers significant gains in creativity, emotional intelligence, and conversational coherence. The company says Grok 4.1 is "exceptionally capable in creative, emotional and collaborative interactions" and is more perceptive, engaging, and consistent in personality than the previous version. ALSO READ: Gemini 3 release imminent - here's what to expect from the Google's latest release The model's rollout began at the start of November and was fully deployed by November 14 across the Grok website, X, and Grok's mobile apps. What followed was a strong showing across competitive AI evaluations, including a major shift in leaderboard rankings, as quoted in a report. For the first time since its launch, Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro lost its top position on the LMArena leaderboard for text-related tasks. Grok 4.1 (Thinking) and Grok 4.1 took the number one and number two spots, pushing Gemini out of the lead. The new model also surpassed other high-profile systems including Anthropic's Claude and OpenAI's latest iterations of ChatGPT, as quoted in a report. ALSO READ: Spotify not working? Users report widespread outage, as they "can't even open it" On EQ Bench, a benchmark assessing emotional intelligence, empathy, and interpersonal skills, Grok 4.1 (thinking) secured first place, followed by Grok 4.1. Kimi K2 came in third, while Gemini 2.5 Pro and GPT 5 ranked fifth and sixth. Grok's strong showing continued on the Creative Writing v3 benchmark, where the models placed second and third. An early version of OpenAI's GPT 5.1 took the top slot, with OpenAI's o3 coming in fourth, as quoted in a report. xAI says Grok 4.1 has made major strides in reducing hallucinations. In tests comparing real-world information-seeking queries, Grok 4.1 recorded a hallucination rate of 4.22%, a sharp decline from the 12.09% rate of Grok 4.0. On FactScore, a benchmark with 500 biography-based questions, the new model scored 2.97%, compared to 9.89% for its predecessor, as quoted in a report. These improvements translate into a noticeably different user experience, according to xAI. The company says that users would notice that Grok 4.1 is much nicer to talk to, more understanding and more helpful than its predecessor. ALSO READ: New poll delivers big blow to Trump as approval rating takes sharp dive The update arrives during a wave of AI releases across the industry. OpenAI released GPT 5.1 only days earlier, and Google is widely expected to introduce Gemini 3.0 soon, as quoted in a report. Elon Musk recently confirmed that Grok 5, previously expected by the end of 2025, has been pushed to early 2026. The billionaire described the upcoming model as "crushingly good" but now says it will arrive within the first three months of 2026. ALSO READ: What does 67 mean, who made the 67 meme and why is it so popular? What makes Grok 4.1 different? It shows major improvements in creativity, emotional intelligence, and reduced hallucinations compared to Grok 4.0. How does Grok 4.1 compare to ChatGPT and Gemini? Grok 4.1 currently ranks above both on several benchmarks, including LMArena and EQ Bench. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

xAI's Grock 4.1 Shows Real EQ and Wit : Grock 5 Hints at near-AGI Performance

What if an AI could not only understand your words but also your emotions? Imagine a system so advanced it could craft a story that feels uniquely yours, solve problems with human-like creativity, and even predict your needs before you voice them. Bold claims, sure, but xAI's Grok models are turning these futuristic possibilities into reality. With Grok 4.1 already redefining emotional and creative intelligence, and the upcoming Grok 5 poised to push the boundaries of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), xAI is making waves in the AI landscape. These aren't just incremental updates; they're paradigm shifts that challenge what we thought AI could achieve. Below Wes Roth explores the new advancements that make xAI's models so extraordinary. From multimodal capabilities that seamlessly integrate text, images, and video, to the pursuit of AGI, a goal that once felt like science fiction, these innovations are reshaping how we interact with technology. But it's not all smooth sailing; the challenges of balancing emotional intelligence with analytical precision and creating sustainable AI systems are just as fascinating as the breakthroughs themselves. What does it mean for AI to truly understand us, and how far can these systems go? Let's unpack the possibilities, and the implications, of this new era in artificial intelligence. Grok 4.1 represents a significant leap forward in AI's ability to interpret and respond to human emotions. By incorporating advanced emotional intelligence, it assists more natural, empathetic interactions, making it particularly effective in fields such as customer support, mental health services, and education, where understanding emotional context is critical. In addition to emotional intelligence, Grok 4.1 excels in creative applications. It generates high-quality, contextually rich content tailored to user instructions. Using reinforcement learning, the model minimizes errors like hallucinations and adapts its tone and style dynamically. Benchmarks such as EQbench and creative writing tests demonstrate its superior performance compared to earlier iterations. These capabilities position Grok 4.1 as a versatile tool for both professional and personal use, from crafting compelling narratives to enhancing user engagement in interactive systems. Building on the foundation laid by Grok 4.1, Grok 5 is poised to redefine the scope of AI functionality. With an unprecedented six trillion parameters, it introduces multimodal capabilities, allowing it to process and integrate text, images, video, and audio simultaneously. This advancement unlocks new possibilities in diverse fields, including autonomous systems, media analysis, and interactive education. One of Grok 5's most ambitious goals is achieving a 10% probability of AGI, a milestone that would signify a significant step toward creating systems capable of performing any intellectual task a human can. By combining higher intelligence density with faster processing speeds, Grok 5 aims to tackle complex problems requiring both analytical precision and creative insight. If successful, this achievement could fundamentally reshape how AI contributes to society, from solving global challenges to enhancing everyday life. Discover other guides from our vast content that could be of interest on Grok AI. The exceptional performance of xAI's Grok models is largely driven by their innovative use of reinforcement learning. This approach involves continuous feedback loops, where the models evaluate and refine their abilities based on performance outcomes. This iterative process is particularly effective in improving subjective areas such as emotional intelligence and personality alignment. Post-training reinforcement learning further enhances adaptability. For instance, Grok 4.1 can align its responses with user-defined personality traits, creating a more personalized interaction experience. These advancements not only optimize the models' performance but also pave the way for more versatile and user-centric AI systems. By refining these techniques, xAI is setting a new standard for how AI systems learn and evolve. xAI's ambitions extend beyond technological innovation to the preservation of humanity's collective knowledge. The Encyclopedia Galactica project aims to create a comprehensive, open source repository of human wisdom, distributed across Earth, the Moon, Mars, and deep space. This initiative is designed to ensure the accessibility of knowledge even in the face of global challenges or catastrophic events. The repository is envisioned as a cornerstone for education, research, and cultural preservation, offering a vast resource on human history, science, and the arts. By integrating this repository into AI systems, xAI seeks to create models that are not only intelligent but also deeply informed about the human experience. This initiative underscores xAI's commitment to using AI for the long-term benefit of humanity. As the computational demands of advanced AI models grow, xAI is exploring innovative solutions to ensure sustainability. One such solution is the development of space-based data centers powered by solar energy. These orbital facilities would harness the uninterrupted availability of solar power in space, offering unmatched efficiency and scalability. This approach aligns with global efforts to reduce the environmental impact of AI development. Comparative studies between Grok 4.1 and other leading models, such as GPT-5.1, highlight the potential of space-based data centers to address energy challenges while maintaining high performance. By integrating sustainability into its operations, xAI is setting a benchmark for responsible AI development, balancing innovation with environmental stewardship. Despite its remarkable progress, xAI faces challenges in advancing its models. One significant hurdle is the difficulty of benchmarking subjective capabilities like emotional intelligence and personality adherence. Traditional evaluation metrics often fail to capture these nuanced improvements, necessitating the development of new, tailored benchmarks. Looking ahead, xAI plans to refine its models further by integrating IQ and EQ capabilities, enhancing user-defined custom instructions, and improving personality alignment. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to achieve AGI through incremental innovations in training methods and model architecture. By addressing these challenges, xAI aims to create AI systems that are not only more intelligent but also more attuned to human needs and values. xAI's Grok models are reshaping the landscape of artificial intelligence. By combining emotional intelligence, creative capabilities, and multimodal processing, they are setting new benchmarks for AI performance. Initiatives like the Encyclopedia Galactica and space-based data centers highlight xAI's commitment to addressing the broader societal and environmental implications of AI development. As Grok 5 approaches its release, the vision of AGI becomes increasingly tangible, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of intelligent systems.

Elon Musk's xAI Releases Grok 4.1 AI Model, Rolled Out to All Users

The company claims the model reduces instances of hallucinations Elon Musk's xAI released the Grok 4.1 artificial intelligence (AI) model on Monday. The successor to Grok 4, which arrived in July, brings several improvements and new capabilities. The AI firm claims that the newer version of the large language model offers better emotional intelligence, creative writing, and reduced hallucinations. Currently, the latest AI model is available to all users across all the different platforms Grok is present on.

We Tested Grok 4.1's EQ and Writing, the Results Shocked Our Review Team

What if the future of AI wasn't just about faster responses or smarter algorithms, but about creating interactions so natural, they feel almost human? Enter Grok 4.1, the latest breakthrough in artificial intelligence that's redefining what's possible. With a record-breaking ELO score of 1,483 and an EQ benchmark of 1,583, this model doesn't just outperform its competitors like Gemini 2.5 Pro, it obliterates the gap between machine and human-like understanding. Imagine an AI that not only answers your questions with precision but also crafts stories, deciphers emotions, and reasons through complex problems with uncanny accuracy. Grok 4.1 isn't just another upgrade; it's a bold leap forward in the AI landscape. Below the World of AI team takes you through the features that make Grok 4.1 a fantastic option, from its exceptional conversational intelligence to its reduced hallucination rates, making sure reliability like never before. You'll discover how its advanced creative writing capabilities and multimodal features elevate content creation and problem-solving to unprecedented levels. But it's not all perfection, Grok 4.1 has its limits, particularly in specialized coding tasks. Whether you're a professional seeking innovative tools or simply curious about the next frontier of AI, this deep dive will reveal why Grok 4.1 is being hailed as the most intelligent and versatile model yet. What does this mean for the future of human-AI collaboration? Grok 4.1's success is underpinned by measurable achievements, including its record-breaking ELO score and an EQ benchmark of 1,583. These metrics highlight its ability to deliver nuanced, humanlike interactions. Its standout features include: These attributes make Grok 4.1 a versatile tool for a wide range of applications, from professional content creation to everyday problem-solving. For those focused on storytelling and content generation, Grok 4.1 sets a new standard. Its ability to craft vivid, coherent, and well-structured narratives surpasses both its predecessors and competitors. Whether responding to open-ended prompts or generating fictional stories, the model consistently delivers engaging and precise creative output. This makes it an invaluable resource for writers, marketers, and professionals seeking high-quality content. Its capacity to adapt to various tones and styles further enhances its utility, making sure that it meets diverse creative needs. Here is a selection of other guides from our extensive library of content you may find of interest on xAI Grok AI models. One of the most notable improvements in Grok 4.1 is its significantly reduced hallucination rate. By refining its post-training processes, the model now provides more accurate and contextually appropriate answers. This enhancement minimizes the risk of misinformation, making it a dependable tool for information-seeking tasks. Whether addressing complex questions or verifying facts, Grok 4.1 delivers responses with a high degree of confidence and reliability. This improvement is particularly beneficial for users who rely on AI for research, decision-making, or educational purposes. Grok 4.1's multimodal features represent a leap forward in AI interaction. By seamlessly integrating text, images, tables, and other formats into its responses, the model offers a more dynamic and engaging user experience. This capability is especially useful for tackling complex prompts that require visual aids or structured data. Whether you need a detailed explanation, a visual representation, or a combination of both, Grok 4.1 adapts to your needs with ease. Its ability to handle diverse input formats enhances its versatility, making it a valuable tool for both casual users and professionals. While Grok 4.1 is not primarily designed for coding, it demonstrates competence in generating and debugging code. Its true strength lies in reasoning and explaining intricate concepts, making it ideal for tasks such as solving logic puzzles or addressing abstract questions. The model also shows proficiency in creating functional outputs, including browser-based OS designs and SVG animations. However, for highly specialized programming tasks, it may require additional refinement. This balance between reasoning and technical capabilities ensures that Grok 4.1 remains a versatile and practical tool for a variety of use cases. Designed with user accessibility in mind, Grok 4.1 is available for free on mobile and chatbot platforms, with a limit of 10 requests every two hours. Its faster response times and smoother interactions contribute to a seamless user experience. The intuitive design ensures that users of all backgrounds can easily navigate and use the model's features. Whether you are a casual user exploring AI capabilities or a professional seeking expert insights, Grok 4.1 offers a user-friendly interface that caters to a broad audience. Despite its many strengths, Grok 4.1 has certain limitations. It is not the optimal choice for complex coding tasks or autonomous operations, where models like Claude or Sonnet 4.5 may excel. Additionally, while its front-end coding capabilities are functional, they fall short of delivering the precision required for highly specialized programming needs. These limitations highlight areas where Grok 4.1 could benefit from further development, particularly in technical domains. Grok 4.1 represents a significant step forward in the evolution of conversational AI. Its strengths in emotional intelligence, creative writing, and reasoning set it apart as a leading model in the field. While its coding abilities are adequate, its primary value lies in delivering intuitive, humanlike interactions that cater to a wide range of user needs. For those seeking an AI model that combines advanced communication skills with reliable performance, Grok 4.1 stands out as a compelling choice.

Grok 4.1 explained: What's new, better, and why it matters for you

New Grok update improves context memory, collaboration, and overall conversational performance xAI's Grok 4.1 arrives at a moment when users are no longer impressed by raw model size or benchmark bragging rights. What they want now is simple: an AI that works, consistently, without friction. That's the gap Grok 4.1 tries to close. Instead of building a dramatically bigger model, xAI refined the architecture from the inside, overhauling reinforcement learning systems and tightening the way Grok handles logic, reasoning, and step-by-step tasks. The result is an AI that stays on track more reliably and produces fewer of the "hallucinations" that often break trust in conversational systems. While previous Grok versions were quick but prone to drifting, 4.1 keeps a tighter narrative thread across even long, multi-layered conversations. In practical terms, users don't need to correct or re-explain as much. Grok simply holds the context better, responds more coherently, and adapts faster when the conversation shifts. This is a clear sign that xAI is prioritising stability and usability, two things that matter far more in daily use than flashy benchmark numbers. Also read: RIP em dashes: ChatGPT just made AI writing harder to spot Perhaps the biggest conceptual leap in Grok 4.1 is its upgraded emotional modelling. While AI systems have long attempted to mimic empathy, Grok 4.1 aims for something closer to emotional accuracy. The model is now better at interpreting subtle cues - hesitation, frustration, excitement, sarcasm - and responding in ways that feel more natural without being overly performative. Instead of sounding neutral or mechanical, its tone shifts depending on the user's mood and intent. This is particularly useful in long-form collaboration. Whether you're brainstorming a screenplay, venting about a rough day, or negotiating a complex professional decision, Grok's responses now demonstrate a deeper recognition of context and emotion. The interaction feels less like "talking to a bot" and more like working with a patient, flexible assistant. It's not about the AI having emotions. It's about the AI understanding yours, and reacting in a way that improves the experience rather than flattening it. Grok 4.1 also brings noticeable improvements in creative and conceptual thinking, areas where generative AI is increasingly expected to excel. Also read: Meta chief AI scientist Yann LeCun thinks LLMs are a waste of time Writers will find that the model now structures long articles, essays, scripts, or scene outlines with clearer logic. Coders get cleaner, more consistent code blocks with fewer contradictions. Students and researchers benefit from summaries that are less error-prone and better grounded in the source material provided. One quietly powerful upgrade is Grok's enhanced multi-turn planning. You can discuss an idea, change direction midway, introduce constraints, and then circle back, Grok 4.1 maintains the thread much more reliably. The model doesn't collapse under complexity as easily as before, which makes it noticeably stronger in iterative and collaborative workflows. This makes the AI feel more like a teammate - one that remembers the plan, helps refine it, and doesn't derail when new information appears. All these upgrades add up to one overarching change: Grok 4.1 is easier to trust. Trust is the real currency of AI adoption. If a model stays consistent, avoids hallucinations, recognises emotional context, and handles complexity without wobbling, people will use it more often and for more meaningful tasks. xAI's approach with 4.1 emphasises usefulness over spectacle. Instead of positioning Grok as the biggest or most powerful model, they're shaping it into a reliable assistant for everyday work: writing, coding, planning, decision-making, and casual conversation. In a market crowded with increasingly similar LLMs, this focus on human-centric behaviour may be Grok's strongest differentiator. It signals a shift in AI development, away from raw horsepower and toward models that fit naturally into the rhythm of how people think and work. For creators, professionals, students, and even casual users, Grok 4.1 isn't just a technical update. It's a step closer to an AI that doesn't just answer but understands, collaborates, and stays grounded.

Elon Musk's xAI releases Grok 4.1 with better speed and quality: Availability and other details

Grok 4.1 is said to have higher emotional intelligence, empathy, and interpersonal skills. Elon Musk's AI company xAI has launched Grok 4.1, promising faster responses and higher answer quality for users. The update focuses on both speed and the usefulness of answers. Grok 4.1 is now available to all users on grok.com, on X, and through the Grok apps on iOS and Android. It is rolling out directly in Auto mode, and users who want more control can manually select 'Grok 4.1' in the model picker. On X, Musk highlighted the release, saying that people should notice a significant improvement in both speed and quality. Before the full launch, xAI quietly tested the new model in a silent rollout from November 1 to November 14, 2025. The company ran blind comparisons between Grok 4.1 and the earlier models. In these tests, Grok 4.1 was preferred 64.78 percent of the time. Also read: Apple loses key iPhone Air designer to an AI startup: Here's what we know According to xAI, the Grok 4.1 model is "exceptionally capable in creative, emotional, and collaborative interactions." Also, it is more "perceptive to nuanced intent, compelling to speak with, and coherent in personality, while fully retaining the razor-sharp intelligence and reliability of its predecessors." To reach this level, xAI used large-scale reinforcement learning similar to what powered Grok 4, but with extra focus on style, personality, helpfulness, and alignment. Also read: iOS 26.2 beta 3 now out: Here are all the new features Apple is testing The Grok 4.1 AI model is said to have higher emotional intelligence, empathy, and interpersonal skills, scoring 1586 on EQ-Bench. The company also worked on reducing hallucinations. Grok 4.1 was tested on real-world information-seeking queries from production traffic and on FActScore, which is a public benchmark.