Robert Scoble, a well-known tech industry commentator and former strategist at Microsoft, posted an explanation on X on the meaning behind Grok. He used GPT-4 to search for an answer and the chatbot said the word has “a deep, almost metaphysical understanding.”
“Hmm Elon Musk calls his new AI “grok.” So what does “grok” mean?,” he posted.
GPT-4 answers:
“The term “grok” comes from Robert A. Heinlein’s 1961 science fiction novel “Stranger in a Strange Land.” In the context of the book, “grok” is a Martian word that means to understand something or someone so completely that the observer becomes a part of the observed—to merge, blend, intermarry, lose identity in group experience. It’s a deep, almost metaphysical understanding.
In modern usage, particularly in tech and geek culture, “grok” has come to mean understanding something intuitively or by empathy, to establish rapport with someone or something, or to empathize with someone so deeply that it is as if you become one with them. It’s often used to suggest a profound level of comprehension of software programming, technology, or a complex subject matter.”
To this post, Musk replied, “Accurate”, and “Yup, that’s what it means.”
Notably, Musk’s other company SpaceX has been working to land a spacecraft on Mars and last month, he said that the company could land it in three to four years. So ‘Martian word’ makes sense.
Musk unveiled a Mars rocket called the Interplanetary Transport System, at an International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2016. At that time he said that SpaceX’s first uncrewed landing on the red planet would occur in 2022, followed by the first flight with people aboard in 2024.
What’s in the name?
Musk’s three kids with Grimes are named: X Æ A-Xii (X for short), Exa Dark Sideræl Musk (Y for short) and Tau Techno Mechanicus (Circumference/Diameter).
Grok will be available to a select group of people and Musk plans to make it accessible to all X Premium+ subscribers.