Google Revives Gemini Chatbot’s Image Generation Feature Amid Controversy

Google’s Gemini Chatbot Controversy: An Update

In February, Google encountered significant backlash from its user base when it was discovered that its A.I. chatbot, Gemini, struggled to accurately generate images of white individuals. This revelation sparked outrage and led the company to temporarily disable Gemini’s ability to create any human likenesses. However, on Wednesday, Google announced a revival of this feature for users subscribing to the English-language version of the chatbot, known as Gemini Advanced, as detailed in a recent blog post.

In an effort to rectify the situation, Google has integrated the updated version of its image generator, Imagen 3, into Gemini. The updates signify an important step forward for a company that is heavily invested in artificial intelligence yet has faced several challenges in effectively deploying its A.I. products.

Dave Citron, a senior director at Google, expressed optimism about the enhancements, stating in the blog post, “With Imagen 3, we’ve made significant progress in providing a better user experience when generating images of people.” He noted that the service is now configured to avoid generating photorealistic images of public figures, minors, or any violent content.

The controversy began shortly after Gemini’s initial launch, when users discovered that the chatbot consistently failed to depict white historical figures, such as U.S. founding fathers and Catholic popes, instead producing representations of individuals from diverse racial backgrounds. This situation not only fueled public outrage but also raised serious questions about Google’s competence in managing its artificial intelligence systems.

Adding to the scrutiny, Google had previously stumbled with the initial rollout of its other chatbot, Bard, which infamously delivered incorrect information during its early public demonstrations. This misstep occurred at a pivotal moment when the A.I. landscape was rapidly evolving.

Critics of Google quickly seized upon the issues surrounding Gemini. Elon Musk, the owner of the social media platform X, took to his platform to declare that Google’s A.I. was “so racist & sexist.” His sentiments were echoed widely across social media, amplifying calls for the company to address the shortcomings in its technology.

In addition to incorporating Imagen 3 into Gemini, Google is also offering its corporate clients the ability to create customized versions of the chatbot, dubbed Gems. These tailored versions can function as coding partners, educational coaches, or writing assistants, enhancing the versatility of Gemini’s applications.

Despite the improvements, Google has cautioned users that its technology may still encounter errors. Mr. Citron acknowledged this, stating, “Of course, not every image Gemini creates will be perfect, but we’ll continue to listen to feedback from early access Gemini Advanced users as we keep improving.”