Google’s upgraded AI image generator is now available for users in the US, as spotted by VentureBeat.
Imagen 3, the newest iteration, boasts “better detail, richer lighting, and fewer distracting artifacts” compared to its predecessors. Accessible via Google’s AI Test Kitchen, this tool is a leap forward in AI-generated imagery.
First unveiled during Google I/O in May, Imagen 3 has recently been made more widely available through the Vertex AI platform. Enthusiastic Reddit users began experimenting with it last week, and Google published a comprehensive research paper on the tool on Tuesday.
Imagen 3 allows users to create detailed images from text prompts. You can even edit specific parts of an image by highlighting them and describing the desired changes. However, there are some limitations. The tool won’t generate images of public figures, such as Taylor Swift, or weapons. It also avoids creating named copyrighted characters, though you can circumvent this by describing the character’s features.
Despite these guardrails, users have managed to generate images resembling Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario, and even Mickey Mouse. Additionally, it can produce logos from well-known companies like Apple, Macy’s, Hershey’s, and Google itself.
This cautious approach contrasts sharply with Grok, the AI image generator on Elon Musk’s X platform, known for producing controversial content, including depictions of drugs, violence, and public figures in compromising situations.
Google’s AI tools have faced challenges too. Earlier this year, the company halted image generation with its Gemini AI chatbot after it was found to produce historically inaccurate images. Nonetheless, Imagen 3’s release marks a significant step in AI image generation, offering exciting possibilities for users while maintaining a responsible approach.
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