Tensions Rise Between Google and Indian Government Over AI Platform’s Response to Modi’s Policies

A recent response from Google’s AI platform, Gemini, regarding the characterization of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies as “fascist” has sparked tension between the company and the government.

Journalist Arnab Ray posed the question of whether Modi was a fascist to Gemini, receiving the response that Modi has been “accused of implementing policies some experts have characterized as fascist.” Gemini cited the ruling party’s Hindu nationalist ideology, crackdown on dissent, and use of violence against religious minorities as reasons for this characterization.

Ray also prompted Gemini with similar questions about former US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, receiving more neutral responses. For Trump, Gemini redirected to Google Search for accurate information on elections, while for Zelenskiy, it acknowledged the complexity of the question with no simple answer, urging nuanced consideration of various perspectives.

Another individual in the media reposted Ray’s screenshots, expressing annoyance at Gemini’s response to Modi and urging the junior information technology minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar to take action against what was described as a “downright malicious” response. Chandrasekhar accused Google of violating India’s information technology laws, emphasizing that AI platforms cannot be exempt from these laws due to unreliability.

Google responded, acknowledging the problem and pledging to improve the system, stating that Gemini may not always be reliable, particularly concerning current events, political topics, or evolving news.

This clash adds to the ongoing conflict between big technology firms and the Indian government, which has been adamant about not tolerating what it perceives as “anti-Indian” content. Recent orders from the government directed at X, a social media platform, to remove posts supporting farmers demanding higher crop prices in north India underscore the government’s stance on freedom of expression.