In response to a wave of criticism, Google has announced that it will be reintroducing the image generation feature in its AI chatbot, Gemini Advanced. The search giant had initially removed the tool after it faced significant backlash for generating images that were unrealistic and inappropriate.

The updated image generation tool will incorporate Google's latest model, Imagen 3, and will be rolled out gradually for users of the English-language version of the AI chatbot. The move comes after Google acknowledged that its previous tool was "overcompensating" in attempting to depict diverse ranges of people, resulting in images that were absurd and controversial.

The controversy surrounding the AI chatbot's image generation feature gained momentum when viral images emerged, showing a Black woman portrayed as a US founding father and Black and Asian individuals depicted as Nazi-era German soldiers. These images sparked criticism from prominent figures, including Elon Musk, who highlighted the perceived biases in AI tools.

Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, addressed the issue by stating that the company had made unacceptable errors and needed to rectify the situation. In a blog post, Dave Citron, a senior director at Google, expressed optimism about the reimplemented feature, stating that significant progress had been made in providing a better user experience.

To prevent misuse, Google will implement restrictions on the generation of photorealistic scenes featuring identifiable individuals, minors, or excessive violence. Citron also emphasized the importance of user feedback in further improving the tool's performance.

This reintroduction of the image generation feature marks the latest development in Google's AI rollouts, which have been met with mixed results in the past. Last year, the release of the initial AI chatbot, Bard, was marred by inaccurate responses during a promotional video, denting Google's credibility in the AI arena.

The timing of Google's re-release is significant, as the AI industry faces uncertainty due to market volatility and questions about the valuations of tech companies heavily invested in AI. Additionally, competition has intensified, with Apple joining the ranks of Big Tech AI players. Apple's success in marketing AI tools has been praised by Wall Street, while other tech giants have grappled with controversies and boardroom dramas.

Google's move to reintroduce the image generation feature coincides with an upcoming earnings release from Nvidia, a major AI chip designer. Investors are closely watching Nvidia's performance, viewing it as a potential catalyst in a challenging market for chips and AI companies.

As Google seeks to regain trust and refine its AI technologies, the reintroduction of the image generation feature is a critical step. With continuous improvements and feedback from users, Google aims to deliver a more reliable and satisfactory experience in generating images through its AI chatbot.