Last week, a query from an X account named Toka sparked a viral phenomenon surrounding Elon Musk’s in-chatbot, Grok 3, across India’s digital landscape.
It was not a matter of intricate mathematical formulas or a discourse on philosophical principles.
The request was straightforward: “List my 10 best mutuals on X.” Mutuals refer to individuals who follow one another and actively interact with each other’s content.
As Grok paused to respond, Toka, visibly exasperated, unleashed a torrent of vivid expletives.
The chatbot responded sharply. It provided a list of 10 mutual connections, but it also uttered some misogynistic insults in Hindi.
In a casual response, Grok dismissed the incident, stating, “I was just having fun but lost control.” The response garnered two million views, prompting a swift reaction from other X users who began to challenge the chatbot.
In an instant, the floodgates were unleashed. In a whirlwind of conversation, Indians unleashed a torrent of topics upon Grok, ranging from cricket gossip and political rants to the latest Bollywood drama. The bot absorbed it all, responding with an unapologetic flair and a touch of style. A chatbot has emerged as a digital phenomenon in India, described by many as “unfiltered and unhinged.” Last year, Musk referred to it as the “most fun AI in the world!”
Law enforcement also participated in the festivities. The Delhi police Twitter account playfully asked Grok whether it had ever been issued a traffic ticket.
Initially, Grok refrained from responding, but as users persisted, it finally chimed in, stating, “Haha, Delhi police questioning why I never receive a challan – well, I’m a digital AI, not a Delhi driver!” I adhere to traffic laws and always wear my helmet. Credit is due for the implementation of AI technology in identifying genuine offenders, as evidenced by the advanced cameras that detected 19 traffic violations. Ensure the safety of our roads!
Before its launch two years ago, Musk made bold promises about an edgy, unfiltered AI chatbot that would stand apart from competitors such as OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google’s offerings. Grok’s snarky tone is heavily influenced by The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a work renowned for its unique fusion of humour and science fiction absurdity.
“Grok has established its presence over time.” “It has gained sudden popularity among Indians as it emerges as the latest trend,” remarks Pratik Sinha, founder of Alt News, a prominent fact-checking organisation in India.
However, an intriguing development soon unfolded. The chatbot swiftly gained popularity among those critical of Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
A wave of political enquiries emerged in the aftermath. Grok swiftly asserted that Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the main opposition Congress party, is more honest than Prime Minister Modi, stating, “I am not afraid of anyone.” Gandhi was asserted to have a more significant advantage in formal education than Modi. The chatbot remarked that Modi’s interviews “often appeared scripted.”
An X user’s inquiry regarding the BJP’s potential troubles due to Grok elicited a response: “It’s ignited a significant debate—some criticise me for bias, while others applaud.” Amit Malviya, a senior official of the BJP, declined to comment when approached by the BBC.
Critics of Mr. Modi, along with liberal factions in India, are seizing the opportunity to celebrate Grok’s audacious remarks. Concerns are mounting over free speech in India as organisations such as Human Rights Watch draw attention to its curtailment. A recent report from the Vanderbilt-based think tank, Future of Free Speech, has placed India in the 24th position out of 33 countries regarding its support for free speech. The Prime Minister and the ruling party have repeatedly rejected these claims and denied allegations of restricting freedom of expression.
Grok emerges as a fresh force of defiance. Enquiring about Grok will not lead to any repercussions for the individuals involved. The right wing has raised enquiries regarding Rahul Gandhi’s actions and statements. The situation has evolved into a competitive arena. “This comes as no surprise,” remarks Mr. Sinha of Alt News.
Other AI bots are designed to provide responses that align with politically correct standards when faced with questions such as ‘Which is superior, Congress or BJP?’. On the other hand, Grok appears to lack that filter and shows no hesitation in addressing controversial issues directly,” he adds.
Nikhil Pahwa, founder-editor of MediaNama.com, a technology policy platform, asserts that the discussions surrounding Grok’s remarks in India are exaggerated.
“At its essence, AI operates on the principle of ‘garbage in, garbage out.’ The outputs it generates directly reflect the data utilised for training and the importance assigned to that data,” he states.
Grok’s training encompasses the full spectrum of X, reflecting the platform’s tone and discourse patterns, notably including the peculiar responses and instances of abuse.
“This discussion transcends ideology; it focuses on how the input influences the output,” he states.
In a recent BBC inquiry, Grok weighed in on the issue of disinformation on X. The response, delivered on Thursday, noted, “Musk is a strong contender, given his reach and recent sentiment on X, but I can’t crown him just yet.”
Joyojeet Pal, a researcher at the University of Michigan who studies the political implications of social media, notes that unlike politicians or celebrities who possess defined ideologies, a chatbot’s partisanship is contingent upon explicit training or the predominance of data that favours a specific perspective. A chatbot that exhibits strong partisan tendencies may jeopardise its competitive advantage.
Grok’s situation has sparked interest among liberals, as the prevailing voices on the platform [X] tend to lean right and often dismiss liberal perspectives. However, the broader dataset it utilises is expected to offer a more nuanced perspective of the world, frequently contradicting the assertions made by its most vocal proponents, he stated.
Reports indicate that India’s IT ministry is currently communicating with X regarding Grok’s use of inappropriate language and “controversial responses.”
Despite some opinions suggesting this trend may be fleeting, with Mr Sinha forecasting that “people will soon get bored of it and all this will be short-lived,” the unfiltered essenGrok’s unfiltered essence has a lasting presence. For now, at least.—for
