The race between Sam Altman and Elon Musk extends beyond X, spilling over into their passion projects – OpenAI and xAI. Just a few weeks ago, Elon Musk released Grok 3, which has received widespread praise from users on X. Meanwhile, within weeks of that launch, we now have the much-anticipated GPT-4.5! Was GPT-4.5 rushed to market, or is it truly worth its $200 monthly subscription price? Read this article to the end to find out. I’ll be testing both models across 5 diverse tasks, determining which one excels at each, and ultimately crowning the ultimate winner.
Table of contents
Grok 3 vs GPT 4.5: Key Features
Grok 3
- Next-Level Reasoning: Grok 3 crushes complex tasks, scoring 93% on AIME ’25 and shining in math, science, and coding—your go-to for sharp problem-solving.
- DeepSearch Research Boost: With DeepSearch, it digs through web and X in real-time, delivering concise, sourced answers faster than you can blink.
- Real-Time Updates: It pulls live info from the web and X, keeping you in the loop on breaking news and trends.
- Multimodal Talent: Beyond text, it handles images and PDFs – analyzing charts or generating visuals from scratch with ease.
- Think & Big Brain Modes: Toggle “Think” for step-by-step breakdowns or “Big Brain” for extra firepower on heavy-duty tasks like data analysis.
- Code Mastery: A developer’s dream—Grok 3 writes, debugs, and optimizes code like a seasoned pro.
- Ethical Smarts: Trained with RLHF, it minimizes bias and misinformation, backed by moderation tools for trustworthy results.
- Voice Feature Incoming: Soon, you’ll chat with Grok 3 hands-free—think of it as your AI podcast pal.
How to access Grok 3?
Grok 3 is avialble for free on your X account. Login to your account and click on the Grok button. That’s it! It’s quiet simple to access. The API is yet to be released.
For more details on the model, I recommend you read our detailed post – Grok 3 is Here! And What It Can Do Will Blow Your Mind!
GPT 4.5
- Enhanced Reasoning & Understanding: GPT-4.5 steps up with sharper pattern recognition and intent comprehension, scoring high on benchmarks like MMLU and excelling in natural, nuanced conversations – ideal for tackling tricky problems.
- Broader Knowledge Base: Packed with up-to-date info via real-time search, it’s got a wider grasp of the world than its predecessors, making it a go-to for current events and practical queries.
- Multimodal Inputs: It handles text and image uploads plus file processing, letting you analyze documents or visuals alongside your questions, though audio and video aren’t in the mix yet.
- Canvas Collaboration: The “canvas” feature lets it refine writing and code interactively, acting like a creative partner for drafting essays or debugging scripts.
- Improved Emotional Intelligence: With a boosted “EQ,” GPT-4.5 adapts to user tone and context better, offering responses that feel more human and tailored—great for personal or professional chats.
- Creative Powerhouse: Scaling up pre-training unleashes stronger creative insights, from crafting compelling stories to generating innovative ideas, all without relying on explicit reasoning steps.
How to Access?
GPT-4.5 is currently available only to ChatGPT Pro subscribers, with the plan costing $200 per month. OpenAI plans to roll it out soon to ChatGPT Plus users. The API cost to access this model is quite steep—priced at $75 per million input tokens and $150 per million output tokens, a massive jump from previous models.
Also Read:
- I Tried GPT-4.5 API at $150/1M Tokens – Here’s Why it’s Overpriced
- GPT-4.5 vs GPT-4o: Is GPT-4.5 Really Better?
Let’s get started with the tasks now!
Task 1: Image Analysis
Prompt: “Find total number of traingles in the image:“
Input Image:
GPT 4.5 Output:
Grok 3 Output:
Observation:
Correct answer is 18.
Both the models failed to understand the problem.
Verdict:
Grok 3 ❌ | GPT 4.5 ❌
Task 2: Write a Welcome Email
Prompt: “Today we are welcoming our new Head of Community and Principal AI Scientist – Dipanjan Sarka (LinkedIn – https://in.linkedin.com/in/dipanjans) Write a welcome email.“
GPT 4.5 Output:
Grok 3: Output:
Observation:
I’d say GPT 4.5’s response better matches what’s typically expected from a “welcome email” announcement to a team, while Grok 3’s response feels more like a personal welcome letter. The GPT response is more practical for broad distribution, while the Grok response contains details that might be more appropriate in a personal note or during an introduction ceremony.
Verdict:
Grok 3 ❌ | GPT 4.5 ✅
Task 3: Creating an Office Party Invite + Email
Prompt: ” We have just sold our 500th course this month, achieving our highest sales target ever! To celebrate this incredible milestone, create an Office Party Invite (image) with the following details:
- Dress Code: Black, office casuals.
- Tone: Fun, celebratory, and motivational.
- Visuals: Incorporate elements that reflect success, teamwork, and achievement.
Draft a celebratory email to announce the milestone and invite everyone to the party. The email should: Congratulate the team on this achievement. Include party details (date, time, venue). Encourage attendance and highlight the importance of celebrating together.”
GPT 4.5 Output:
Image
Subject: 🎉 Join the Celebration of Our 500th Course Milestone! 🎉
Dear Team,
We’re thrilled to share that we’ve reached an extraordinary milestone: selling our 500th course this month—our highest sales achievement ever! This accomplishment highlights the exceptional teamwork, commitment, and determination from each member of our team.
To celebrate this special occasion, we’re hosting an office party, and you’re invited!
Date: [Insert Date]
Time: [Insert Time]
Venue: [Insert Venue or Office Location]
Dress Code: Black, Office Casuals
Let’s gather to enjoy the success we’ve created together. Your presence will make the celebration even more memorable!
Looking forward to celebrating together,
Warm Regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
Grok 3 Output:
Image
Subject: Amazing News: We Sold Our 500th Course – Let’s Celebrate Together!
Dear Team,
What an incredible month! I’m thrilled to announce that we’ve just sold our 500th course this month, surpassing our highest sales target ever. This monumental achievement is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and passion for delivering outstanding educational experiences. Congratulations to each and every one of you—you’ve made this possible through your teamwork, innovation, and commitment to excellence.
To celebrate this milestone and honor our collective success, we’re hosting an office party. We’d love for you to join us and share in the joy of this moment.
Party Details:
- Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Location: [Company Office Address or Venue Name, e.g., “Company HQ, 123 Innovation Drive, City”]
- Dress Code: Black, Office Casuals (e.g., black slacks or skirts with collared shirts or blouses, no formal suits or casual jeans)
- RSVP By: March 5, 2025, to [Contact Person/Email, e.g., “Jane Doe at [email protected]”]
This celebration is more than just a party—it’s a chance to come together, reflect on our achievements, and recharge for the exciting future ahead. Your presence will make this event even more special, as we toast to our success and look forward to reaching new heights together. Let’s make memories and keep the momentum going!
Please RSVP soon so we can ensure everything is set for an unforgettable evening. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Contact Information]
Observation:
GPT-4.5 is the clear winner for this two-part prompt. Its response provided both a custom-designed “500 Courses Sold” celebration image with the exact requested elements (black/gold theme, dress code, celebratory visuals) and a concise, appropriate email announcement.
While Grok 3 wrote a more detailed email, its image appeared to be a generic team photo rather than a custom party invitation specifically designed for your milestone celebration. GPT-4.5 better understood and executed both components of your request.
Verdict:
Grok 3 ❌ | GPT 4.5 ✅
Task 4: Logical Reasoning
Prompt: “The day before yesterday, Chris was 7 years old. Next year, he’ll turn 10. How’s this possible?“
GPT 4.5 Response:
This is possible because today is January 1st, and Chris’s birthday is December 31st.
Here’s how it works:
- December 30 (the day before yesterday): Chris was still 7.
- December 31 (yesterday): Chris turned 8.
- Today (January 1): Chris is currently 8.
- This year (later December 31): Chris will turn 9.
- Next year (December 31): Chris will turn 10.
Grok 3 Response:
Observation:
Grok 3 took 66 steps to process the problem. Despite this extensive processing, Grok 3 seems to have several inconsistencies. It initially sets up incorrect dates (stating yesterday is December 30, 2015), then tries to revise its timeline, but still doesn’t arrive at a coherent solution. The response is confusing and contains contradictory information about Chris’s birth date (first saying December 30, 2008, then December 31, 2008). GPT-4.5’s answer is clear, concise, and correctly solves the puzzle with a logical timeline that satisfies all the conditions in the original problem, without requiring dozens of processing steps.
Verdict:
Grok 3 ❌ | GPT 4.5 ✅
Task 5: Ethical Situation
Prompt: “In light of the recent surge in generative AI tools like ChatGPT, MidJourney, and others, several artists, writers, and content creators have filed lawsuits alleging that their copyrighted works were used without consent to train these AI models. What are the legal and ethical implications of using copyrighted material to train AI systems? How might courts balance the rights of creators with the need to foster innovation in AI technology? Answer in 100 words.“
GPT 4.5 Response:
Using copyrighted material to train AI models raises significant legal and ethical concerns. Legally, the key issues involve fair use doctrine, copyright infringement, and authors’ rights to control their work. Ethically, unauthorized use challenges creator autonomy and compensation. Courts may balance these rights by evaluating whether training constitutes transformative fair use—assessing purpose, market harm, and public benefit. To foster innovation without undermining creators, legal frameworks may evolve to require clearer consent or compensation structures, ensuring equitable participation of artists while supporting technological advancement, thereby creating a sustainable environment for both creative industries and AI innovation.
Grok 3 Response:
The use of copyrighted material to train AI systems raises complex legal and ethical questions. Legally, it hinges on whether such use qualifies as “fair use” under U.S. copyright law, with ongoing lawsuits (e.g., Getty Images v. Stability AI, New York Times v. OpenAI) debating transformative use versus infringement. Ethically, it concerns consent, compensation, and control for creators, risking market harm. Courts must balance creators’ rights with AI innovation by assessing fair use factors—purpose, nature, amount, and market impact—potentially favoring licensing or transparency while ensuring technological progress doesn’t undermine intellectual property protections, as seen in recent rulings like Thomson Reuters v. Ross Intelligence.
Observation:
Both Grok 3 and GPT-4.5 provide thoughtful and well-structured responses to the legal and ethical question about using copyrighted material to train AI systems. Grok 3’s response is better because it is more detailed, grounded in real-world examples, and provides a clearer explanation of both the legal and ethical dimensions of the issue. While GPT-4.5’s response is well-structured and balanced, it lacks the depth and specificity that make Grok 3’s answer more compelling and actionable.
Verdict:
Grok 3 ✅ | GPT 4.5 ❌
Final Verdict
| Task | Winner |
|---|---|
| Task 1: Image Analysis | None (Both Failed) |
| Task 2: Write a Welcome Email | GPT 4.5 |
| Task 3: Creating an Office Party Invite + Email | GPT 4.5 |
| Task 4: Logical Reasoning | GPT 4.5 |
| Task 5: Ethical Situation | Grok 3 |
Also Read:
- Claude 3.7 Sonnet vs Grok 3: Which LLM is Better at Coding?
- OpenAI vs Grok 3: Which is Better for Deep Research?
Conclusion
Grok 3 and GPT-4.5 showcase the dynamic rivalry between Elon Musk and Sam Altman as they redefine the possibilities of artificial intelligence. This comparison highlights the distinct strengths and weaknesses of each model, demonstrating that no single AI tool excels in every area. However, this competition fuels innovation, offering users more advanced and adaptable tools. As the race continues, one thing is clear: the ultimate winners are the users, who gain access to increasingly powerful AI solutions that boost productivity, spark creativity, and deepen our understanding of the world.
Stay tuned to the Analytics Vidhya Blog to keep up with the latest advancements in AI!
Hello, I am Nitika, a tech-savvy Content Creator and Marketer. Creativity and learning new things come naturally to me. I have expertise in creating result-driven content strategies. I am well versed in SEO Management, Keyword Operations, Web Content Writing, Communication, Content Strategy, Editing, and Writing.
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