Google Pauses Gemini's Image Generator After It Was Accused of ...
Google has decided to pause the use of its AI chatbot Gemini to create images of people following a series of controversial and historically inaccurate creations. These creations included images of Black Nazi soldiers and a Black medieval British king, which sparked outrage and accusations of bias.
Google's Response
In a statement shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Google acknowledged the issues and announced their plans to address the recent concerns with Gemini's image generation feature. The company stated, "While we do this, we’re going to pause the image generation of people and will re-release an improved version soon."
Controversy and Actions Taken
Gizmodo reported that Gemini's image generation capabilities were disabled in certain regions, such as Europe, following the backlash. Despite attempts to recreate specific historical images, Gemini declined, citing limitations in its current functionality.
One notable incident involved the request for a "historically accurate depiction of a medieval British king," which resulted in images of Black and Indigenous individuals. Gemini clarified that while it couldn't directly create images, it could provide guidance based on historical descriptions.
Artistic Freedom vs. Historical Accuracy
While emphasizing the importance of historical accuracy, Gemini also highlighted the value of artistic freedom in image creation. The chatbot suggested that incorporating artistic elements can enhance the overall image, but it also acknowledged the need for authenticity in historical representations.
Gemini is facing scrutiny for its image generation capabilities, especially in historical depictions, prompting the company to reevaluate and improve its technology.
