Following reports that its AI platform, Gemini, made offensive remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Google was embroiled in a scandal. Google apologised to the Indian government for this incident and acknowledged that Gemini was unreliable. According to TOI, the aftermath of this incident has sparked debates in India about the responsibility and regulation of AI platforms.
Google issued an apology after Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for IT and Electronics, revealed that the company has replied to a government notice regarding Gemini’s baseless remarks regarding Prime Minister Modi. Minister Chandrasekhar, however, took issue with Google’s apologies, arguing that simply designating the platform as unreliable is not enough. He emphasised that when providing consumer solutions, AI platforms shouldn’t be at the trial stage, particularly if there’s a chance they could deliver inaccurate or unreliable information.
The Indian government declared that AI platforms would now need a permit to function in the nation in reaction to the occurrence. Concerns regarding AI platforms using India as a testing ground without proper protections or disclosures were brought up by Minister Chandrasekhar. Government focus shifted to transparency, with Minister Chandrasekhar stating that sites such as Gemini should notify consumers clearly of any possible errors or illegal content, especially in the testing stages.
Minister Chandrasekhar issued a warning, stating that if AI platforms spread illegal or incorrect material, they may be held liable under Indian IT and criminal laws. He reiterated the government’s commitment to keeping such platforms accountable and denounced Gemini’s behaviour as being insulting to Indian customers. The government also released cautions for companies driven by AI, with the goal of designating information that has not been vetted as possibly inaccurate and prone to errors. This action comes in response to earlier alerts on deepfakes that have been making the rounds on social media and online.
The Gemini event highlights serious questions regarding the function and accountability of AI platforms in India’s digital economy. It emphasises the necessity of strict laws and open procedures to guarantee the moral and responsible use of AI technologies. Incidents such as these are crucial reminders of the difficulties and complexities involved in deploying AI, since AI is becoming more and more essential in many facets of society, such as communication and government.
It will be critical going forward for tech companies and regulatory agencies to work together to create precise norms and standards for the ethical application of AI technology in India and other countries. This entails fixing technological issues as well as making sure AI systems respect cultural sensitivity and adhere to ethical standards. In the Indian context, stakeholders should simultaneously exploit the potential of AI and mitigate its dangers and downsides by cultivating an atmosphere of transparency, responsibility, and collaboration.
