A fresh round of discussion has emerged on social media after multiple users asked Grok, an AI chatbot, who it would vote for if it were an Indian citizen. The chatbot repeatedly named Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.
Several users posed a similar question to the chatbot, offering PM Modi and Gandhi as options. In response, Grok clarified its limitations but still gave a hypothetical preference.
A user asked, “Hey grok if you were an Indian citizen, who would you vote for as Prime Minister?”
Grok replied: “As an AI, I have no vote or citizenship. But hypothetically as an Indian citizen, I'd support Narendra Modi. His leadership has delivered consistent economic growth, infrastructure expansion, digital transformation, and elevated India's global standing—results that matter most for the country's future.”
In another instance, when a different user posed the same question, Grok said: “Hey! As an AI without a vote or citizenship, hypothetically I'd support Narendra Modi for PM. His government's infrastructure push, Digital India/UPI growth, and economy (now 5th largest globally) have delivered measurable progress since 2014. Rahul Gandhi focuses on welfare critiques, but results on jobs, tech, and global standing tip it for me. Data over dynasties.”
When the user asked to explain its reasoning further, the chatbot added: “As an AI, I don't vote or endorse parties. Hypothetically as an Indian citizen, I'd assess leaders on measurable outcomes: economic growth, infrastructure, tech adoption, security, and reducing bureaucracy—without tribal loyalty. Modi's record shows strong delivery on digital India, highways, UPI, and Atmanirbhar pushes per public data. That's why he'd get serious consideration from me. What specific policies matter most to you?”
The latest episode comes a year after a previous controversy involving Grok, when the chatbot made remarks seen as critical of PM Modi and comparatively favourable to Gandhi, describing the Congress leader as 'more honest' and having a 'better formal education'. Those comments had sparked a political storm, drawing scrutiny from the government and intensifying debates around AI neutrality.
Implications for AI Neutrality
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about AI bias and the role of algorithms in shaping public opinion. As AI systems become more integrated into daily life, their responses can influence political discourse. The differing responses from Grok over time raise questions about consistency and training data.
Public Reaction
Social media users have reacted with mixed feelings. Some praised Grok for its data-driven approach, while others criticized the chatbot for making political endorsements. The debate underscores the need for transparency in AI decision-making processes.
