Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok has become the new sensation among Indian internet users in 2025, following X’s latest update released last month. Unlike competitors like ChatGPT and Google Gemini with their measured, corporate tones, Grok distinguishes itself with an irreverent personality and human-like responses that mirror users’ conversational styles.
Developed by xAI, Grok 3 runs on the Colossus supercomputer and is reportedly ten times faster than its predecessor. Musk has boldly marketed it as “scary smart” while making it freely available for a limited time.
What particularly resonates with Indian users is Grok’s ability to engage in casual conversations reminiscent of chai stall banter, complete with cultural references and occasional profanities. The AI adapts to colloquialisms and responds with appropriate cultural context, making it feel like “a slightly unhinged friend” rather than a digital librarian.
Grok can be accessed through a dedicated app available on iOS, Android, and Windows, or directly within the X platform via a dedicated button or by tagging @grok in posts. Premium features like voice mode are available to paying X subscribers.
Google Trends shows enormous spikes in Grok-related searches across India, with users flooding X with screenshots of their interactions. The AI’s willingness to engage with topics other systems approach cautiously adds to its appeal among younger Indian users.
This shift poses challenges for publishers as users increasingly turn to Grok for quick information rather than visiting news sites, potentially creating a “walled garden” where information needs are satisfied without leaving the X platform.
