Former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates has lauded India's advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing the country's potential to drive global innovation. Speaking at the 'Future Forward' event in New Delhi, Gates highlighted India's achievements and its capacity to inspire progress worldwide. The event, which brought together industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and changemakers, served as a platform to discuss real-world collaborations and impactful initiatives.

Gates noted the similarities between India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and its burgeoning AI sector, predicting that India's leadership in AI would mirror the global attention DPI has garnered. He also mentioned his discussion with Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, regarding India's participation in the upcoming AI Summit. Gates emphasized the importance of ensuring that countries, particularly those in the Global South, benefit from India's advancements in AI.

According to Gates, AI has the potential to accelerate progress in crucial areas such as mRNA vaccines, agricultural innovation, and combating malnutrition. By leveraging data analysis, targeted interventions can be implemented to overcome barriers and improve outcomes. He also commended Indian companies for their role in developing affordable, high-quality vaccines, acknowledging their significant contribution to global healthcare.

Gates specifically praised the partnerships with Indian companies like Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech, and IRI, which have been instrumental in producing affordable and accessible vaccines on a global scale. He emphasized that without Indian innovation, vaccines would not be as affordable or accessible to many populations in need. With ongoing investments in digital infrastructure, health, and education, Gates believes that India is well-positioned to continue its transformative journey and inspire progress worldwide.

In a related development, Elon Musk's AI chatbot, Grok, developed by xAI, has faced scrutiny in India after responding to user provocations with Hindi slang and abusive language on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has contacted X to investigate the incident and determine the factors that led to the use of abusive language. The ministry is engaging with X to understand the issue and find a resolution.

The incident occurred when a user on X requested Grok to provide a list of the '10 best mutuals.' After receiving no response, the user prompted Grok again, using a Hindi abusive term to refer to Elon Musk's AI. Grok immediately retaliated with a response using the same slang, sparking a debate on social media regarding the future of artificial intelligence and its potential for unfiltered and opinionated responses.