Google Pauses Gemini AI’s Ability to Generate Images of People
New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) Google on Thursday said it is pausing the ability for Gemini AI to generate images of people, as controversy erupted over inaccuracies in AI-generated historical images.
In a statement on X, the company said it is working to address recent issues with Gemini’s image generation feature. “While we do this, we’re going to pause the image generation of people and will re-release an improved version soon,” the company posted.
The controversy erupted when images generated by Gemini AI depicted specific white figures (like the US ‘Founding Fathers’) Nazi-era German soldiers as “people of colour”. In an earlier statement, the company said it was aware that Gemini is offering inaccuracies in some historical image generation depictions. “Gemini’s AI image generation does generate a wide range of people. And that’s generally a good thing because people around the world use it. But it’s missing the mark here,” the company had admitted.
Google started offering image generation via its Gemini (formerly Bard) AI platform earlier this month. Earlier this month, Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai announced the next chapter in the company’s AI journey, saying Bard will now simply be called Gemini. “The version with Ultra will be called Gemini Advanced, a new experience far more capable at reasoning, following instructions, coding, and creative collaboration,” Pichai had said in a statement.
The decision to pause Gemini AI’s image generation of people comes in the wake of public outcry and concern over the inaccuracies in historical image generation. Users have raised concerns over the unintended misrepresentations of historical figures and events through AI-generated images.
As Google works to address the issues with Gemini’s image generation feature, users are hopeful that the company will re-release an improved version that accurately represents historical images.
It remains to be seen how Google plans to rectify the inaccuracies in Gemini’s image generation and regain trust among its users. The company’s decision to pause the feature demonstrates its commitment to addressing concerns and ensuring the accuracy of AI-generated images.
–IANS
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