The Indian government is gearing up to confront tech giant Google over its AI platform Gemini, formerly known as Bard, for what it deems as problematic and illegal responses to queries about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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. @GoogleAI @GoogleIndia @GoI_MeitY https://t.co/9Jk0flkamN
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_GoI) February 23, 2024
According to reports from The Indian Express, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for Electronics and IT, has labelled Google’s AI responses as direct violations, citing specific sections of the Intermediary Rules of the IT Act. The government’s concerns stem from Gemini’s replies, which have been criticised for their biased and unlawful nature, particularly regarding queries about PM Modi.
Violation of Intermediary Rules and Criminal Code
Chandrasekhar emphasised that Gemini’s responses violate Rule 3(1)(b) of the Intermediary Rules of the IT Act and contravene multiple sections of the Criminal Code. The government is particularly alarmed by the platform’s tendency to generate problematic views on certain individuals, especially PM Modi, which has prompted the issuance of a show cause notice to Google.
Note how Gemini has been trained, for American non-allies, American allies and Americans? Shame @Google. pic.twitter.com/d0uwXzBPsv
— Arnab Ray (@greatbong) February 22, 2024
Google’s Apology for Inaccuracies
This isn’t the first time Google’s AI has come under fire for inaccuracies and biases. Recently, the company apologised after users pointed out that Gemini’s image generation capabilities portrayed White historical figures as people of colour. Google acknowledged the issue and assured users that it is urgently working to address the inaccuracies. Jack Krawczyk, Gemini’s Senior Director of Product Management, reiterated the company’s commitment to improving these depictions to ensure more accurate results.
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AI Encounters Diversity Questions
Google’s Gemini AI isn’t the only platform facing scrutiny over diversity concerns. OpenAI also faced similar allegations regarding its Dall-E image generator. Nearly a decade ago, Google faced backlash over its photos app incorrectly labelling a photo of a black couple. These instances highlight the ongoing challenges in ensuring AI systems provide fair and unbiased results.
Moving Forward
As technology advances, companies like Google must prioritise diversity and inclusivity in their AI systems. The Indian government’s notice to Google underscores the importance of addressing biases and inaccuracies to ensure that AI platforms like Gemini serve all users fairly and responsibly.
