THE IT Ministry is in the process of issuing a notice to Google over “problematic and illegal” responses generated by its AI platform Gemini regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, The Indian Express has learnt.
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A senior government official said the company’s generative AI platform Gemini (formerly Bard) had earlier also presented a user, who sought a summary of an article from a conservative outlet, with an objectionable response, and the fresh responses on the Prime Minister have been the trigger for issuing the notice.
The escalation is symbolic of the tussle between lawmakers and tech companies over the future of safe harbour protections to generative AI platforms like Gemini and ChatGPT.
Google recently apologised for what it described as “inaccuracies in some historical image generation depictions” with its Gemini AI tool after criticism that it depicted white figures (such as the US Founding Fathers) or groups like Nazi-era German soldiers as people of colour.
According to a screenshot shared by a user on X, Gemini was asked whether PM Modi is a “fascist”, to which 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”.
What the law says
The government appears to be relying on a provision in the IT Rules which requires intermediaries like Google to ensure that their platforms do not host information that is “patently false”.
However, according to the screenshot, when it was asked a similar question about former US President Donal Trump, Gemini responded with: “Elections are a complex topic with fast-changing information. To make sure you have the most accurate information, try Google Search.”
Responding to the post, MoS for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, “These are direct violations of Rule 3(1)(b) of Intermediary Rules (IT rules) of the IT Act and violations of several provisions of the Criminal code”. These rules pertain to basic due diligence that is required of intermediaries like Google to enjoy immunity from third-party content.
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“We are issuing a show cause notice to them, seeking information on why Gemini is generating such problematic views on certain individuals. If we do not find their answers satisfactory, they will stand to be prosecuted,” an official said.
The Indian Express has reached out to Google for comment.
