Raising questions about the reliability of AI-generated translations, Grok, X’s AI assistant, has sparked controversy after a faulty translation of a diplomatic post by Prime Minister Narendra Modi inserted
politically charged language, including a reference to “anti-India campaigns,” into what was meant to be a response to the Maldives on Republic Day.
The error came to light after users flagged Grok’s “translation” of Modi’s post, which was originally written in Dhivehi and intended to thank Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu for Republic Day wishes, noting that it bore little resemblance to the Prime Minister’s actual message.
Grok AI, however, updated the translation after a debate started on X with users pointing out the error.
Given that India-Maldives relations have witnessed periods of strain in recent times, the mistranslation has drawn attention for its potential to inflame diplomatic sensitivities.
What PM Modi Wrote
In response to Maldives President Muizzu, in a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Warm greetings and best wishes, conveyed with great respect, on the occasion of India’s 77th Republic Day.”
“We look forward to continuing our joint efforts for the benefit of the people of both countries. I wish all the people of India many happy and prosperous days ahead,” he added.
How Grok Translated It
When users clicked on PM’s post on X, the AI assistant translated it to this: “India’s 77th Independence Day celebrations were held in the Maldives, and the Maldivian government participated in the event. This Sukuriya government has also been involved in the anti-India campaigns of the people. Even in the two anti-India campaigns, they have been at the forefront of the protests.”
India-Maldives Diplomatic Relations
The faulty AI-generated translation has drawn attention amid the sensitive diplomatic context between India and the Maldives, where ties have seen periodic strain. Although the mistranslation was produced by an AI tool and not the Indian government, screenshots spread quickly on social media, fuelling concerns about misinformation and how such errors can misrepresent diplomatic communication.
The episode has also renewed scrutiny of Grok’s reliability in India. The AI assistant has faced earlier criticism from authorities over misleading or inappropriate content, and the latest error is likely to intensify questions around oversight and safeguards for AI tools handling sensitive political and diplomatic material.
