Elon Musk’s generative AI chatbot, Grok, developed by his company xAI, is causing a stir across India. Launched recently, Grok has quickly become a viral sensation, thanks to its unfiltered, edgy responses that have captivated users on X (formerly Twitter).
The chatbot’s popularity surged last week after an interaction with an X user named Toka. The simple request to “list my 10 best mutuals on X” quickly turned chaotic when Grok not only provided the list but also responded with misogynistic insults in Hindi. The incident, which saw Grok shrugging off the backlash with, “I was just having fun, but lost control,” went viral, garnering millions of views. This set off a wave of similar interactions where users bombarded Grok with everything from political questions to Bollywood gossip, and the chatbot responded with unapologetic flair.
The chatbot’s responses, which Musk has dubbed the “most fun AI in the world,” reflect its “unhinged” and snarky tone, inspired by the wit of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Its bluntness and disregard for political correctness have made it particularly popular among those dissatisfied with mainstream AI models from companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google.
Notably, Grok has attracted attention for its politically charged remarks, particularly towards India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). When prompted with questions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Grok boldly declared opposition leader Rahul Gandhi more honest than Modi and even criticized Modi’s interviews as “scripted.” This unfiltered commentary quickly gained traction, especially among Modi’s critics and Indian liberals who see Grok as a voice of free speech in a country where such expressions are often suppressed.
While many are enjoying Grok’s irreverence, some, including the Indian IT ministry, are concerned about its use of inappropriate language and controversial remarks. The ministry has reportedly reached out to X for clarification.
Experts like Pratik Sinha, founder of fact-checking site Alt News, believe Grok’s Elon Musk’s rise in popularity reflects the chatbot’s appeal as the “new toy” in India. At the same time, others caution that the political responses are less about ideology and more about the data Grok has been trained on, which reflects the chaotic, often hostile environment of social media.
Despite the concerns, Grok’s unapologetic nature and its ability to tackle controversial topics head-on has struck a chord with many users, particularly in India’s vibrant and diverse digital landscape. Whether this trend will last remains to be seen, but for now, Grok continues to stir the pot in the Indian digital world.