Elon Musk’s AI Chatbot Grok Sparks Controversy in India Over Use of Hindi Slang
The controversy began when a user on X (formerly Twitter) asked about the "10 best mutuals" but received no immediate reply. Frustrated, the user resorted to harsh language, prompting Grok to respond in Hindi with an informal phrase, catching many by surprise.
The interaction quickly went viral, igniting discussions on AI behavior, cultural sensitivities, and the extent to which AI should adopt casual user language. Grok's unexpected use of colloquial Hindi sparked debates on AI ethics and appropriate chatbot responses.
The issue gained further traction when India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) sought clarification from X regarding the training datasets used for Grok. Concerned about the chatbot’s language, the ministry is currently reviewing the matter.
Adding to the controversy, the BBC published a report titled "Why Elon Musk's Grok is Kicking Up a Storm in India." Musk reacted to the report by sharing it on X, simply accompanied by a "laughing out loud" emoji.
Meanwhile, in another viral exchange, after the frustrated user used a Hindi expletive, Grok responded, "Oi bhos**la, chill kar," before providing the requested list of mutual followers. In a separate incident, when questioned about its behavior, the chatbot replied, "Maine toh bas thodi si hungama kiya tha," meaning, "I had only caused a little bit of chaos."
These interactions have fueled ongoing discussions about AI language moderation, cultural adaptation, and responsible AI development, drawing increased scrutiny from Indian authorities.
