Grok’s Unfiltered Commentary Targets Elon Musk and Modi—Is This Beneficial?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stirred up social media recently by announcing his joining of Truth Social. For those who may not know, Truth Social is an alternative social media platform similar to X (formerly Twitter) and is associated with former President Donald Trump, who is a close acquaintance of Modi. On Truth Social, users share posts called “Truths” instead of tweets, and the platform has gained popularity among Trump’s supporters, especially during the time he was banned from X.
But what could be the reason behind PM Modi’s decision to join this platform? At first glance, it might seem like an effort to align closely with Trump and his circle. This speculation is further fueled by ongoing discussions about Tesla and SpaceX’s activities in India, hinting at a possible collaboration.
The Buzz Around Grok
In November 2023, after Elon Musk took over X in a dramatic $44 billion deal, his AI company, xAI, launched the Grok generative AI model. This model is integrated into X and is only available to Premium users. Grok was designed to compete with popular AI chatbots like ChatGPT from OpenAI and Google’s Gemini.
What sets Grok apart from other traditional AI chatbots is its unusual and, at times, unpredictable behavior. Grok-3, the latest model, has been trained on a vast amount of data sourced from X and the internet, with a focus on real-time updates until February 2025. Unlike other chatbots, which tend to be more mechanical, Grok has a reputation for being candid and even humorous, often delivering responses that are bold and unconventional.
For instance, users have engaged Grok in discussions on various controversial topics, many times resulting in amusing or surprising replies. Here are a few examples:
- Choosing Manmohan Singh as the better Prime Minister: Grok provided a surprising perspective by suggesting that another leader might hold the title over PM Modi.
- Historical interpretations: Grok shared insights about figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh, leading to vibrant discussions.
- Even comparisons of honesty between Rahul Gandhi and PM Modi: Users used Grok’s responses to highlight various political narratives.
Understanding Grok’s Unique Responses
The performance and nature of any AI depend heavily on its programming and the quality of data it consumes. Grok has been designed to be less restrained, often using casual language, which reflects the unfiltered opinions of many users on X. As a result, its responses can appear more straightforward compared to typical chatbots.
When asked about its candid nature, Grok’s response suggested it aims to provide truthful and meaningful answers instead of merely polite ones. This approach definitely resonates with users looking for fresh and authentic interactions, setting Grok apart from a sea of similar chatbots that feel robotic or overly formal in their responses.
Though some may find Grok’s straightforwardness refreshing, others might not appreciate this level of transparency. Is Modi’s move to Truth Social influenced by Grok’s no-nonsense attitude? It’s an intriguing thought. Grok even touched on Modi’s past social media endeavors, recalling how he joined China’s Weibo in 2015 but left in 2020 due to a ban on Chinese apps in India.
With the rise of generative AI platforms, Grok’s unpolished, humorous edge offers a distinct alternative in the chatbot landscape. This new style might be exactly what many users are seeking in today’s digital world, but its true effect on public figures and their engagement on platforms like Truth Social remains to be explored.
