Grok is now free! (sorta)

Your average pencil has the mileage to sketch a line longer than a marathon. 56 kilometers to be exact. So next time you’re doodling, remember — you’ve got enough lead to practically cross a (small) country.

What’s in store:

• Free access to Grok? Yup… in some areas.

• Why healthcare compliance is more than just a checklist now.

• Around the web: Apple's iOS 18.2 update lets users share lost AirTag locations directly with others.

• Learn some incredible prompts!

Read Time: 5 minutes

GROK

X just opened Grok to free users

X is now testing free access to its AI chatbot, Grok, after initially limiting it to premium, paying users.

Over the weekend, several app researchers and users reported seeing a free version available in select regions, including New Zealand, which was later confirmed by TedCrunch.

To use Grok’s free version, the account must be at least seven days old and linked to a phone number.

Usage limits are in place - 10 queries every two hours with the Grok-2 model, 20 with Grok-2 mini, and three image analysis queries daily.

Launched in August by xAI, Grok-2 includes image generation features backed by Black Forest Labs’ FLUX.1 model and recently gained image comprehension abilities.

Here’s what you should know:

• Free access is currently being tested with specific usage limits.

• Accounts need to meet age and phone verification requirements.

• This access expansion aims to broaden xAI’s reach and improve product feedback positioning Grok to better complete with ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini.

Premium lite

xAI's decision to open Grok to free users could indicate a drive to attract a larger user base and quicken feedback loops, aiming to position Grok competitively alongside major AI chatbots on the market.

Last month, The Wall Street Journal reported that xAI was seeking several billion dollars in funding, with a projected valuation of $40 billion.

Welcome to the Grok club, but don’t expect all-you-can-chat just yet.

Vote for live results and see results + opinions from yesterday at the bottom of the email.

BEST PROMPTS

Fuel Your Creativity with AI Prompts from Peter Yang 🎨 

Make some time for creative AI with The Next Wave hosts and special guest Peter Yang, principal product manager at Roblox and writer of Creator Economy.

Gems in this episode include:

• Real Use Cases: Peter shares examples of AI content creation. Plus, how to use AI to create content that keeps your audience engaged.

• Actionable AI Insights: Practical tips for streamlining your workflow with AI.

• Broader Implications: Explore how AI is reshaping jobs, amping productivity, and even influencing personal relationships.

On This Day

November 12th 1933 - Hugh Gray takes the first photos alleged to be of the Loch Ness Monster.

That’s Weird

Aliens, remedies and hockey?

In 1946, Swedish ice hockey player Gösta Carlsson claimed he had a close encounter with aliens in the woods of Ängelholm, Kronoskogen.

Carlsson said the aliens shared natural remedy recipes that inspired him to start pharmaceutical companies—and he even launched Sweden’s first pro hockey club, Rögle BK, afterwards.

Today, a concrete UFO model marks the spot, though not all UFO enthusiasts are convinced. It’s one of Europe’s only UFO memorials, rivaling Poland’s Emilcin monument.

AI STARTUPS

Sniffing out medical red flags

After a career in incident investigation with firms like Kroll and FTI Consulting, Aaron Narva developed Conflixis, an AI tool for hospitals to handle conflicts of interest with medical vendors and drug companies.

Narva’s concept for Conflixis began at compliance software maker Exiger, where he worked with large companies to manage legal and corruption risks.

He saw that healthcare faces similar issues to banking, particularly when drug and device companies form close ties with doctors.

These relationships can create conflicts of interest, where medical decisions may be influenced by perks rather than patient care.

Conflixis tackles this by analysing data from sources like OpenPaymentsData.com, hospitals’ procurement records, and patient outcomes, highlighting specific doctor-vendor connections that may be risky.

In brief

• Conflixis flags high-risk doctor-vendor relationships for review, improving compliance and cutting costs.

• Founded in 2023, Conflixis raised $4.2 million in funding and already has clients, standing out in a competitive market.

• The tool blends investigative expertise with AI to offer targeted risk management for healthcare.

When AI says “NOPE”

Conflixis has already secured clients and raised $4.2 million in a seed round led by Lerer Hippeau and Origin Ventures, with support from Mark VC, Springtime Ventures, and pre-seed investor Creative Capital.

In a crowded compliance software market, Conflixis is unique for its combination of investigative expertise and AI, specifically adapted to detect corruption patterns.

This tailored approach provides a more focused solution for healthcare than typical compliance tools.

I didn’t even know this was a thing. But thanks AI for saving us once again.

Mindstream Picks

Space: A Chinese commercial rocket launched 15 satellites on Sunday, including CAS Space’s first international payload.

Crypto: The total crypto market cap reached a record high of $3.12 trillion on Tuesday, surpassing the previous peak of $3.08 trillion from November 2021.

Games: Bethesda Softworks and MachineGames have released a 15-minute gameplay deep dive video for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

Don’t Miss: Apple’s new “Share Item Location” feature in iOS 18.2 lets users share the location of lost AirTags with others, like airlines, through an interactive map link. The feature is rolling out globally, with partnerships including major airlines and SITA for secure tracking.

AI Art

Our Image of the Day

Daily Image Prompt

Submit your artwork to Mindstream →

Yesterday’s Poll

“Would you let AI take over your presentations?”

Yes, I’d rather have AI do the talking! - 52% ✅

No, I prefer keeping a personal touch. - 48%

Your Views:

“I want AI to make my presentations. I still want to deliver them” - jared

“Depends on the situation. A combination would work well for business presentations and even some lessons (I am a business management prof).” - mblancop

Submit your opinions in our daily poll to be featured!