Elon Musk on Saturday weighed in on the viral storm surrounding his AI chatbot Grok in India—reacting with a laughing emoji as the controversy escalates over its unfiltered responses to political queries.
Musk shared a post on X sharing a BBC article about the ongoing Grok debate, simply responding with 😂. His reaction comes amid growing scrutiny of the chatbot’s responses, which have sparked heated political discussions and drawn attention from India’s IT ministry.
The controversy erupted last week when Grok, in response to a query, made pointed remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting that opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was “more honest” and had a “better formal education” than Modi. The chatbot also implied that Modi’s interviews “often seemed scripted.” These responses led to a political firestorm, with critics of Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) embracing Grok as a rare digital voice willing to challenge the establishment.
Also read: Govt may take criminal action against ‘provocative’ queries to Musk’s Grok
Meanwhile, right-wing users retaliated by grilling Grok with counter-questions about Congress and Gandhi, attempting to expose its potential biases. The AI’s responses have only fueled further debate, with some accusing it of left-leaning tendencies, while others defend its raw and unscripted nature.
Beyond politics, Grok’s quirky and sometimes irreverent tone—shaped by Musk’s vision of an “anti-woke” AI—has also led to viral interactions on Indian social media. The chatbot has humorously engaged with cricket fans, Bollywood enthusiasts, and even the Delhi police, which cheekily asked Grok if it had ever received a traffic ticket.
However, the controversy has drawn regulatory attention, with reports indicating that India’s IT ministry is in talks with X over Grok’s language and “controversial responses.” This raises questions about whether the chatbot will face restrictions or be tweaked for the Indian market.
Musk’s amused reaction suggests he is unfazed by the uproar, reinforcing his stance on promoting an AI that is “fun and unfiltered.” But as the Indian government takes notice, it remains to be seen whether Grok’s rebellious streak will survive unchallenged—or if it will soon be reined in.