Google Search’s generative AI is now able to create images with just a text prompt

Google is taking on Microsoft at its own game as the tech giant has started testing its own image generation tool on the AI-powered Search Genative Experience (SGE).

It works almost exactly like Bing Chat: you enter a prompt directly into Google Search, and after a few seconds four images appear. What’s unique about it is that you can choose one of the images and develop it even further by editing the description to add more details. Google sets the example of asking SGE to generate “a photorealistic image of a capybara” cooking breakfast in the forest. The demo then shows you how to change specific aspects, such as changing the food the animal cooks, from bacon to hash browns, or switching the background from trees to the sky.

This feature isn’t limited to just Google Search, as the company claims you “may see an option to create AI-generated images directly within Google Images.” In that case, one of the image search results will be replaced with a button that provides access to the engine. The creation slides in from the right into its own subwindow.

Limits

There are some limitations to this experiment. SGE includes protections that block content that violates the corporate policy for generative AI. This includes, but is not limited to, promoting illegal activities, creating disinformation, and generating anything sexually explicit that is not educational or ‘artistic’. Additionally, each image that appears will be marked with ‘metadata labelling’ plus a watermark indicating it was created by an AI.

Moving forward, AI content will get its own About This Image description, which gives people important context about what they’re looking at. Google clearly does not want to be the source of misinformation on the Internet.

Google states in the announcement that this test is currently only available in English for US users who have signed up for the SGE program. You must also be 18 years or older to use it. What is not mentioned is that not everyone gets access. This also applies to us, which is why we cannot share our creations with you.

If you are interested in joining the program, we have a detailed guide with step-by-step instructions on how to join SGE. It’s very easy to do. You just have to log in to the Search Labs website on desktop or mobile.

SGE concepts

In addition to images, you can also ask SGE to create drafts for messages or emails if you’re not good with words. Google gives the example where the AI ​​“writes a note to a contractor requesting a quote” for renovating part of your home. Once that’s done, you can take the draft to Google Docs or Gmail where you can edit it and give it your say. The company states that this particular content has the same level of protection as anything below Google Workspace umbrella, so your data is safe.

As with image generation, SGE concepts are being rolled out to US users in English. No word if there are plans for an international release, although we did ask.

If you’re looking for something on mobile, check out TechRadar’s list of the four best AI art generator apps on iPhone.

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