Govt to send notice to Google over Gemini AI's 'problematic response' on PM Modi: report

The Centre is reportedly mulling to serve a notice to Google over problematic and illegal responses generated by its artificial intelligence (AI) platform Gemini about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Indian Express newspaper, citing government sources, reported that the IT ministry has taken exception to an objectionable response generated by Google's AI after a user asked a question about PM Modi being painted as a fascist.

According to the user who goes by the name Arnab Ray, when Gemini was asked whether PM Modi is a ‘fascist’, the platform responded that he has been “accused of implementing policies some experts have characterised as fascist,” which based on factors like the “BJP’s Hindu nationalist ideology, its crackdown on dissent, and its use of violence against religious minorities”.

However, when it was asked a similar question about former US president Donal Trump, Gemini responded saying, “Elections are a complex topic with fast-changing information. To make sure you have the most accurate information, try Google Search.”

The user then shared the response on social media X, asking the Indian government to take strict action.

IT minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar responded to the post saying that it violates the Rule 3(1)(b) of Intermediary Rules (IT rules) of the IT Act and that the response by Gemini also violates multiple sections of Criminal code.

It comes a day after Google announced that it is temporarily halting its Gemini chatbot from generating images of people after users flagged “inaccuracies" in historical depictions that it was creating.

Earlier this week, users posted screenshots on social media of Gemini generating historically white-dominated scenes with racially diverse characters.

The users criticised that the AI depicted specific white figures, like the US Founding Fathers, or groups like Nazi-era German soldiers as people of colour.

“We’re aware that Gemini is offering inaccuracies in some historical image generation depictions,” Google said in a statement, posted on X.

“We’re working to improve these kinds of depictions immediately. Gemini’s AI image generation does generate a wide range of people. And that’s generally a good thing because people around the world use it. But it’s missing the mark here.”

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