Google to relaunch its controversial image tool ‘Gemini’ in a few weeks after ‘woke’ AI disaster

In a move to address mounting criticism, Google is gearing up for the relaunch of its AI image generation tool, Gemini, which faced backlash for inaccuracies in historical depictions. The tech giant temporarily halted the tool after users reported issues, including misrepresented images of US Founding Fathers and Vikings.

Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis said in a statement on Monday at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that the feature was taken offline to rectify identified problems. He assured that they are working to bring it back online within the next couple of weeks, emphasizing that the tool was not “working the way we intended.”

“We have taken the feature offline while we fix that. We are hoping to have that back online very shortly in the next couple of weeks, few weeks”, Hassabis said in a panel in the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The tool was not “working the way we intended”, he added.

Gemini, previously known as Bard, was introduced by Alphabet’s Google earlier this month, offering image generation through AI models. However, users on social media raised concerns about historical images being inaccurately generated.

Additionally, the company acknowledged the need for enhanced accuracy in historical depictions generated by Gemini. This recognition highlights Google’s continuous endeavors to ensure that its AI technologies offer nuanced and responsible portrayals in various scenarios.

Nonetheless, this acknowledgment failed to reassure some users. One individual, identified as X, remarked, “Your racism didn’t fly…. Elon AI will be my choice instead.”

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Google AI Troubles

This isn’t the first time Google’s generative AI has faced criticism. Last year, the AI chatbot Bard, which was later rebranded as Gemini, shared inaccurate information in a promotional video, resulting in a drop in Google’s shares.

With over 90% of the search market, Google holds a significant role in shaping online information flow. As AI becomes increasingly vital for user information retrieval, concerns are growing about the accuracy and transparency of Google’s AI models.

The recent issues with Gemini go beyond image generation. The AI struggled to answer questions about societal harm caused by figures like Adolf Hitler and Elon Musk. Such challenges raise ethical considerations in the development and deployment of powerful AI tools.

Bob O’Donnell, chief analyst at TECHnalysis Research, commented on the situation, stating, “We are in the early stages of generative AI development, but if the glitches or inaccuracies persist, that’s when people start to worry.”

This episode underscores the importance for companies like Google to prioritize responsible development and user trust when dealing with advanced AI technologies. The relaunch of Gemini will be closely watched, as the industry navigates the challenges and ethical considerations associated with AI development.