AI takes a time-out! Google has announced that it will temporarily pause its Gemini AI chatbot’s ability to generate images of people. The decision comes after the company apologized for “inaccuracies” in historical depictions created by the model.
Gemini is Google’s flagship generative AI suite of models. It was launched with the ability to generate realistic images of people based on text descriptions. The feature was intended to be a fun and creative way for users to interact with the chatbot. It also lets users explore different scenarios and personalities.
Founding Fathers of America, Vikings, and the pope PIC.TWITTER.COM/ZGWDQZ131O
— Worldupdates ( Breaking ) (@itswpceo) FEBRUARY 22, 2024
However, the tool has been criticized for generating misleading and historically inaccurate images, especially regarding the subjects’ race. For instance, it has been reported that Gemini depicted U.S. Founding Fathers as people of color. This led to a social media uproar. Critics, including Elon Musk, have called Google “woke” for these depictions.
I can’t believe Gemini made these unfair pics of Truedough PIC.TWITTER.COM/FNSH9JNL8D
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) FEBRUARY 22, 2024
In response to the criticism, Google has temporarily suspended Gemini’s ability to generate images of people. They will work on updating the model to improve the historical accuracy of its outputs. Google has apologized and confirmed that they know the inaccuracies in some historical image generation depictions. They have stated that they are working to improve these depictions immediately.
Google plans to re-release an improved version of the image generation feature soon. The company has emphasized that it takes representation and bias seriously and is committed to addressing the recent issues with Gemini’s image generation feature.
The pause of Gemini’s image generation feature has sparked a debate among experts and users. They are discussing the implications of AI for history, culture, and society. Some have praised Google for being proactive and responsible. Others have questioned the reliability and ethics of AI-generated content.
Dr. Alice Chen, a professor of computer science and AI ethics at Stanford University, said,
“AI is not a magic wand that can create anything out of thin air. It is a powerful tool that relies on data, algorithms, and human input. Therefore, it is prone to errors, biases, and limitations. We need to be aware of these challenges and work together to ensure that AI is used fairly, accurately, and respectfully.”
On the other hand, John Smith, a Gemini user and history enthusiast, said that.
“Gemini’s image generation feature is fantastic and fun. I don’t mind if it makes some mistakes or changes some details. It’s not like I’m using it for social media or anything. It’s just a way to explore different possibilities and perspectives. I hope Google fixes the issue soon and brings back the feature.”
What do you think of Gemini’s image generation feature? Do you think it is a valuable and creative tool or a problematic and misleading one? Let us know in the comments below.
