In a recent development, Google has revived the ability of its AI chatbot, Gemini, to generate images of people, a feature it had disabled six months ago following user complaints about its inability to accurately represent white individuals. This update was announced alongside the introduction of their latest image generator, Imagen 3, which aims to improve the accuracy and diversity of AI-generated images.
The controversy began shortly after Gemini's initial launch, when it was observed that the AI failed to accurately represent white shapes. This led to significant backlash, prompting Google to temporarily disable the feature to prevent further problems. The situation also sparked a broader debate about the effectiveness and biases of AI technologies, especially after high-profile criticism, including comments from social media mogul Elon Musk, who criticized the AI's shortcomings on his platform.
In response to these challenges, Google’s recent updates include Imagen 3, which promises improved performance and reliability in generating diverse human images. Dave Citron, a senior director at Google, noted in a company blog post that the updated service would avoid creating photorealistic images of public figures, minors, or any violent content, underscoring the company’s commitment to ethical AI use.
Additionally, Google has launched a premium version of the chatbot, Gemini Advanced, available to English-speaking users who sign up for the service. This release is part of Google’s strategy to continually refine its AI offerings and regain trust among users and industry observers.
The reintroduction of this feature and the integration of Imagen 3 into Gemini symbolize Google’s ongoing efforts to manage the complexities of AI development while addressing critical feedback from its user base and critics of the technology. As part of its commitment to improvement, Google said it will actively seek feedback from Gemini Advanced users to further improve the technology.
