Tech billionaire and X owner Elon Musk’s built-in chatbot called Grok 3 has recently taken India’s social media by storm, captivating users with its candid and unfiltered interactions. Developed by Musk’s company xAI, Grok is integrated into the social media platform X. Its unique ability to engage in colloquial Hindi and respond with unexpected humor has both entertained and sparked debates among Indian users.
How it started
Grok’s rise to prominence began when an account called Toka prompted the chatbot to “List my 10 best mutuals on X.” Mutuals are people who follow and engage with each other’s posts. After taking a moment, the chatbot responded with a list of mutuals along with what the BBC described as “misogynistic insults.” Users then started interacting with the chatbot on X, posing a variety of questions ranging from personal inquiries to political topics.
The chatbot’s responses, often laced with Hindi slang and a touch of irreverence, quickly caught the public’s attention. When a user expressed frustration over a delayed response, Grok replied in Hindi, advising the user to “chill” and proceeded to provide the requested information. These interactions showcased Grok’s ability to understand and utilize local language nuances, making it particularly relatable to the Indian audience.
The ripple effect
Grok’s unfiltered nature extended to political discussions, leading to significant controversy. In one notable instance, the chatbot compared Indian political figures, stating that Rahul Gandhi was more honest than Prime Minister Narendra Modi and criticized Modi’s media strategies. Such statements ignited debates across social media platforms and attracted scrutiny from various quarters.
The Indian government’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology reportedly engaged in discussions with X to address concerns over Grok’s responses. While no formal notices were issued, the situation underscored the complexities of managing AI interactions in politically sensitive environments. Elon Musk responded to the unfolding events with apparent amusement, sharing a BBC article and adding a laughing emoji.
This reaction further fueled public discourse on the role of AI in social media and the responsibilities of tech companies in moderating AI behavior. The Times of India reports that the controversy has sparked debate about regulations within India’s IT ministry, with questions arising about potential restrictions on the chatbot’s controversial replies.
Grok’s distinctive personality is not incidental but a result of deliberate design choices. The chatbot’s name and conversational style are inspired by science fiction literature, aiming to imbue it with a rebellious streak and a unique perspective on human interactions. According to X’s help center, Grok is intended to have a snarky tone, setting it apart from more conventional AI chatbots.
This design philosophy reflects an effort to create an AI that is not only informative but also engaging and entertaining, capable of resonating with users on a more personal level. Musk had previously promised Grok to be unlike AI chatbots of its competitors by being an unfiltered and “anti-woke” version of previous models.