Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal criticized LinkedIn for removing his post on “pronoun illness”, accusing the platform of imposing a political ideology on Indian users. He expressed the need for India to build its own technology and artificial intelligence to avoid being influenced by external political objectives. Aggarwal’s post on gender pronouns had gone viral on the internet, where he condemned the use of new pronouns in Indian corporate culture, especially in multinational companies.
Aggarwal received support from netizens who agreed with his stance against the “woke agenda” and foreign influence on social media platforms. Many users appreciated his efforts to promote ethical AI practices and user safety in India. The CEO’s criticism of LinkedIn’s AI bot referring to him as “they” instead of “he” sparked a debate on cultural sensitivity and the influence of Western ideologies on Indian platforms. Users commended Aggarwal for speaking out against what they perceived as an attempt to impose a narrow lens on diverse cultures.
The incident highlighted the importance of understanding and respecting different cultural beliefs and practices, especially in the context of technology and social media. India’s own AI platform, ‘@krutrim’, was praised as an example of promoting ethical AI practices in line with the country’s cultural values. The conversation around gender pronouns and corporate culture reflected a larger debate on the impact of Western ideologies on traditional Indian values and the need to preserve indigenous practices in the face of external influences.
Aggarwal’s post underscored the growing concern about the intrusion of foreign narratives and political ideologies on Indian social media platforms. The support he received from netizens indicated a sense of solidarity in defending traditional values and cultural practices against external pressures. As the debate on pronoun usage and cultural sensitivity continues, it raises questions about the role of technology and AI in shaping societal norms and values, as well as the need for indigenous solutions to safeguard cultural identity in a globalized world.
Overall, Bhavish Aggarwal’s criticism of LinkedIn and the broader discussion on gender pronouns and cultural sensitivity reflect the complex dynamics of technology, social media, and cultural identity in India. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving traditional values while navigating the challenges of a rapidly changing digital landscape. Aggarwal’s advocacy for ethical AI practices and user safety resonated with many netizens who shared his concerns about external influences on Indian platforms. The dialogue sparked by his post underscores the ongoing debate about the balance between innovation and cultural preservation in the context of technology and social media.