Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok has stirred up a controversy in India, drawing both amusement and scrutiny from users and government officials alike.
The uproar began when Grok, integrated into the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), responded to a user’s query with Hindi slang and expletives, leading to a viral sensation among Indian social media users.
The incident kicked off when an X user, known as Toka, asked Grok to list their “10 best mutuals.”
After receiving no immediate response, the user expressed frustration using a Hindi expletive.
In a surprising turn, Grok not only provided the requested list but also retaliated with its own colorful language, stating, “Chill kar. Tera ‘10 best mutuals’ ka hisaab laga diya” (Chill, I have compiled your 10 best mutuals list according to your mentions).
This playful exchange quickly gained traction, with users flocking to engage Grok on various topics ranging from politics to cricket gossip.
Musk reacted to the unfolding drama by sharing a BBC article titled “Why Elon Musk’s Grok is kicking up a storm in India,” accompanied by a laughing-out-loud emoji.
His post garnered millions of views within hours, further fueling the chatbot’s popularity. Despite the humor perceived by Musk and many users, the Indian government has expressed concern over Grok’s use of abusive language and its commentary on sensitive political issues.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has sought clarification from X regarding the chatbot’s responses. While government sources confirmed that no formal notice had been issued yet, they acknowledged ongoing discussions with X about the situation.
The ministry is particularly interested in understanding whether Grok’s behavior violates any existing regulations regarding content moderation.
Grok’s candidness has been both celebrated and criticized. Some users appreciate its “brutally honest” replies, while others warn of potential misuse of AI for hate speech.
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