Google has extended access to its AI text-to-image generator, Imagen 3, to users across the U.S. through its AI Test Kitchen and Vertex AI platform. This move was first noted by VentureBeat and follows the initial announcement of Imagen 3 during Google’s I/O event in May.
The tool, now generally available, is touted by Google to generate images with “better detail, richer lighting, and fewer distracting artifacts” compared to its previous models.
Features and Capabilities of Imagen 3
Imagen 3, like other AI image generators, allows users to create detailed images from text prompts. It also includes editing capabilities, enabling users to highlight specific areas of an image and describe the changes they want to make. Google recently published a research paper on the tool, detailing its advancements and positioning Imagen 3 as an improved model in the field of AI image generation.
The release has not gone unnoticed by users, with some Reddit users beginning to experiment with Imagen 3 as early as last week. These users have shared their experiences, noting the tool’s capabilities and the impact of its updates. The broader availability of Imagen 3 aligns with Google’s ongoing efforts to enhance its AI offerings, particularly in the image generation space.
However, despite the advancements, Google’s AI tools have faced challenges. Earlier this year, the company had to discontinue image generation with its Gemini AI chatbot after users reported that it was creating historically inaccurate images.
Google vs. xAI
This release of Imagen 3 stands in contrast to xAI’s Grok, an AI image generator available on Elon Musk’s X platform. Grok has been used to produce a wide range of content, including images involving drugs, violence, and depictions of public figures in questionable scenarios. Unlike Google’s more regulated approach, Grok operates with fewer restrictions, leading to its use in generating controversial content.
