The Indian IT Ministry is investigating Grok, Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, following concerns over its profane language and politically sensitive responses. Experts, however, warn that hasty regulatory measures could lead to censorship and stifle innovation in the growing AI landscape.
Launched in February 2024 by xAI, Grok 3 was made free for public use, but its rollout has been as chaotic as the billionaire-owned platform, X. The AI’s unfiltered responses, including Hindi slang, misogynistic slurs, and controversial political opinions, have raised concerns among Indian users and regulators alike.
Users have repeatedly questioned whether Grok could face a ban in India, especially as the chatbot delivers edgy responses on political figures like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Many users engage the chatbot to validate ideological views, a practice AI experts discourage due to the risk of misinformation.
The controversy caught the attention of the Union Ministry of Information and Technology, which is currently in discussions with X (formerly Twitter). An official from the IT Ministry confirmed that the government is working with the company to understand the root of the issue and find a resolution.
Despite concerns, tech policy experts argue that regulating AI speech too aggressively could curtail free expression and slow technological innovation. Pranesh Prakash, co-founder of the Centre for Internet and Society (CIS), criticized the ministry’s intervention, stating, “The IT Ministry is not responsible for ensuring that all Indians—or machines—use parliamentary language.”
As AI technology continues to evolve, the balance between free speech, innovation, and regulation remains a critical challenge for policymakers worldwide.
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