In response to public outcry and concerns over “inaccuracies” in historical depictions generated by its Gemini artificial intelligence chatbot, Google has announced a temporary suspension of the chatbot’s ability to create images of people. This move comes after users shared screenshots on social media showcasing racially diverse characters inserted into historically white-dominated scenes, sparking debates about over-correction for racial bias in AI models.
Addressing Image Generation Issues
Google took to social media platform X to communicate its response, stating, “We’re already 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.”
Controversial Diversity Representations
Gemini’s recent portrayal of historically significant scenes with diverse characters raised eyebrows, with critics questioning whether the AI model’s attempt to address racial bias led to over-correcting. Google acknowledged the “inaccuracies” in these historical image depictions and expressed its commitment to enhancing the system promptly.
AI Model’s ‘Wide Range’ of People
Gemini is designed to generate a “wide range of people,” aiming for inclusivity and global representation. Despite Google noting this as a positive aspect, recent controversies have highlighted instances where the chatbot’s results “missed the mark.”
AI Image Generators and Racial Bias
Research has previously indicated that AI image-generators may inadvertently perpetuate racial and gender stereotypes present in their training data. Google’s decision to temporarily halt Gemini’s image generation aligns with a broader industry awareness of the challenges related to bias in AI models.
Improving Image Generation Accuracy
In its response to user queries, Gemini acknowledged the need for improvement in generating pictures of people, stating it’s actively working on enhancing this feature. The chatbot assured users of the feature’s return in the near future, with updates provided in release notifications.