Google’s AI-powered search experience can now generate images

Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) continues to evolve with new image and draft creation tools, although user opinions about its speed and preference for traditional links remain mixed.

Google has announced its Search Generative Experience (SGE), which allows users to generate images directly from text prompts, starting this Thursday. Notably, Microsoft has already been offering a similar feature through Bing Chat using OpenAI’s DALL-E model since March, making Google’s move a logical development in this domain.

According to Theverge, If you’ve chosen to participate in Google’s Search Labs program, you can simply enter your query into the Google search bar. Once you’ve done so, SGE has the capability to generate several images that align with your prompt, giving you the option to select from them.

Google provided a GIF demonstration illustrating how the tool can generate images based on the prompt “Draw an image of a capybara wearing a chef’s hat and cooking breakfast.” As depicted in the GIF, users have the option to fine-tune the queries that Google employs to craft each image.

Users will have the ability to create AI-generated images from Google Images as well. While browsing Google Images results, you may encounter a prompt to generate images based on your query, and these generated images will appear in a sidebar.

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Google is committed to a responsible rollout of its image-generation tools. The tool is designed to ensure it doesn’t generate images that violate Google’s prohibited use policy for generative AI. This proactive approach aims to prevent misuse scenarios similar to those observed with Bing’s image generation tool.

Every image generated with SGE will come with metadata labels and embedded watermarking to indicate that it was created by AI. During the initial phase, Google will not allow the generation of images depicting photorealistic faces or prompts involving notable individuals. The potential for these features in the future remains uncertain, as Google intends to evolve its approach over time. Additionally, Google restricts image generation to users aged 18 or older, meaning teenagers with access to SGE won’t be able to use it.

Google is also introducing the capability to generate written drafts directly from the search bar using SGE. Based on your query, Google can produce a draft, offering options for length, tone, and style. If you are satisfied with the result, you can export the draft to Google Docs or Gmail.

Regarding the models powering the draft writing feature, Google’s spokesperson Craig Ewer stated that “SGE is currently powered by a variety of LLMs. The models used in SGE are trained on both data from publicly available sources and on human supervision data.”

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Since its launch in May, Google has been continuously enhancing SGE by incorporating improvements such as increased video content and better links. Although there are differing opinions on SGE, with some finding it slow and preferring the traditional link-based browsing experience, the new image and draft creation features do hold promise and offer potentially valuable additions to the platform.