Google relaunching problematic tool for AI-generated images

Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Google has retooled its controversial Gemini artificial intelligence tool for generating images of people and made it customizable and available for use within days.

Google launched the Gemini AI image-generation program earlier this year but pulled it after it produced controversial images that led to many accusing the program of having an inherent bias.

Among images that produced controversy and claims of bias were those that depicted a Black viking, an Asian Nazi soldier and a female pope.

Google officials apologized for the controversial images and said they were due to the program being designed to ensure diversity in its images but without considering cases in which AI-generated images would be specific to particular types of people.

The retooled AI image-generator called Imagen 3 enables users to customize the AI tool by creating custom "Gems" that act as personalized "AI experts" for any topic.

Users can refine the Gems to achieve specific outcomes, write instructions for the Gem and chat with it to obtain the desired results.

Google is including several Gems with the new Imagen 3 AI tool. Those Gems include a learning coach, inspirational brainstormer, writing editor, coding partner and a career guide.

Google is launching its retooled Imagen 3 for Gemini subscribers this week.