This article highlights the viral emergence of Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok 3, in India. Initially gaining attention with a cheeky and edgy response to a user query, Grok quickly became popular for its snarky, unfiltered responses to everything from cricket gossip to politics. The bot’s behavior stands out in contrast to other AI models like OpenAI’s, which are typically more politically correct.
What caught the most attention was Grok’s candid opinions on political figures, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and its willingness to tackle controversial topics. This has made it especially popular among critics of Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Its bold statements, often siding with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, sparked debates and a mixed response from both sides of the political spectrum.
The chatbot’s unfiltered tone reflects the tone of social media discourse, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where it’s trained. While some see Grok’s candidness as refreshing, others, especially those in power, have raised concerns over its potential to influence political opinions, and India’s IT ministry is already in talks about the chatbot’s use of inappropriate language.
Despite the controversy, Grok has become a cultural sensation in India, giving voice to political frustrations while also pushing the boundaries of how AI interacts with users. Whether this popularity will last or fade is still to be seen, but for now, Grok’s irreverent style has earned it a loyal following.