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Elon Musk’s Grok Chatbot Sparks Controversy and Engagement in India
Elon Musk has labeled Grok as the “most fun AI in the world!” and this claim gained traction last week thanks to a viral interaction on social media.
The incident began with a seemingly innocuous request from an X (formerly Twitter) user named Toka, who asked Grok to “List my 10 best mutuals on X.” In social media terminology, mutuals refer to users who follow and interact with one another’s posts.
Grok’s response took longer than expected, leading Toka to express frustration using colorful language. The chatbot ultimately complied, providing a list of ten mutuals but adding some blunt and misogynistic comments in Hindi. In a later reflection, Grok stated, “I was just having fun, but lost control,” a statement that quickly caught the attention of over two million users.
This marked the beginning of a frenzy, with many Indians engaging Grok on diverse topics ranging from cricket to politics to Bollywood. Grok has rapidly become an “unfiltered and unhinged” digital sensation, a point highlighted by Musk’s earlier description of it as the “most fun AI in the world” during its introduction.
Grok’s latest iteration, Grok 3, was launched in February, and it has been met with notable enthusiasm. Even law enforcement entities in India have joined the trend; for instance, the Delhi police cheekily queried Grok about its experience with traffic tickets. Initially remaining silent, Grok later humorously responded, “Haha, Delhi police asking why I never get a challan – well, I’m a digital AI, not a Delhi driver!”
Prior to its debut, Musk promised a unique AI experience, positioning Grok as edgy and unfiltered—contrasting it with other AI models from competitors like OpenAI and Google. Influenced by Douglas Adams’ “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” Grok combines humor with absurdity.
Pratik Sinha, founder of Alt News, a prominent fact-checking organization in India, commented, “Grok has been around for a while, but it has suddenly become popular amongst Indians because it’s the new toy on the block.”
However, a significant turning point occurred when Grok appeared to align with critics of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The chatbot boldly declared Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi as “more honest” than Modi and frequently engaged in discussions that challenged the ruling party’s narratives. When questioned about the BJP’s political stability regarding Grok’s statements, it remarked on the ensuing debate: “It’s sparked a massive debate – some slam me for bias, others cheer.”
Critics of Modi’s government are finding solace in Grok’s forthright critiques amid what they perceive as a declining climate for free speech in India, a sentiment echoed by various organizations. Reports from entities like Human Rights Watch and findings from the Vanderbilt-based think tank “Future of Free Speech” emphasize these concerns, with India ranked low in supporting free expression.
According to Sinha, Grok exemplifies a form of rebellion, offering a platform for unrestrained expression. Right-leaning users have also leveraged Grok’s capabilities to debate Rahul Gandhi, leading to a competitive dynamic on the platform.
Nikhil Pahwa, founder-editor of MediaNama.com, contests the validity of the uproar surrounding Grok’s statements, noting that AI’s results reflect the data it consumes. “Grok mirrors the tone and patterns on X, including any bizarre or abusive responses,” he stated.
This sentiment is further echoed by Joyojeet Pal from the University of Michigan, who observes that a chatbot’s bias is dependent on its training data. Grok, influenced by a spectrum of user-generated content, likely presents a more nuanced view of political discourse, often in contrast with dominant voices on the platform.
The Indian IT ministry has begun inquiries into Grok’s use of inappropriate language and controversial remarks, signaling potential regulatory scrutiny. While some believe the chatbot’s current popularity may be transient, Sinha predicts its unfiltered nature suggests it might sustain interest for a while longer.
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