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In the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence, Google has introduced its latest AI tool, Whisk. This innovative product allows users to utilize picture instructions instead of words to create unique, AI-generated images. With Whisk, users can simply upload photographs to obtain a merged image without the need for typing a single word.
One of the key features of Whisk is the ability for users to provide images of subjects, settings, and styles before the tool generates a new image. This allows users to customize and personalize their creations to their liking. In a recent blog post, Google described Whisk as a “creative tool” that offers rapid inspiration, rather than a “traditional image editor.” The goal of Whisk is to provide users with a fun AI function that allows for visual exploration and creativity, rather than a professional editing tool.
As Big Tech companies such as Google and OpenAI continue to push the boundaries of AI technology, products like Whisk are a clear demonstration of the cool new capabilities that AI can offer. However, some detractors have raised concerns about the potential dangers of unlimited AI growth for mankind.
The popularity of AI-generated artwork has been on the rise since OpenAI introduced Dall-E, a text-to-image production tool, in 2021. AI-generated images have become increasingly prevalent on social media and consumer products. With the introduction of Google Whisk, an image-to-image generator that builds on text-to-image technology, users now have even more creative possibilities at their fingertips.
Whisk users have the ability to mix and alter their inputs to create a variety of products, including plushies, enamel pins, and stickers. While users can provide specific details using words, an image is not always necessary. According to Google Labs director of product management, Thomas Iljic, Whisk is designed to offer users a platform for rapid visual exploration and creativity, rather than focusing on pixel-perfect edits.
Google’s acquisition of DeepMind in 2014 has played a significant role in the development of Whisk. The tool utilizes Google’s primary AI service, Gemini, which was introduced in December 2023, as well as Imagen 3, DeepMind’s latest text-to-image generator. When users upload photographs to Whisk, Imagen 3 receives captions from Gemini to analyze the “essence” of the images and create a new, AI-generated image that may deviate from the original prompt in height, haircut, and skin tone.
Despite facing criticism for creating historically inaccurate images with Gemini’s text-to-image converter, Google remains committed to the development of AI technology. Whisk, currently available on a US-only Google Labs website, is still in the early stages of development.
In a competitive market where AI products are becoming increasingly prevalent, OpenAI has also unveiled its own text-to-video generator, Sora, further driving consumer product competitiveness. According to Dan Ives, managing director and senior equities analyst at Wedbush Securities, Whisk represents another “flex the muscles moment” for Google in the AI and tech space.
Looking ahead, AI products like Whisk are just the tip of the iceberg for Google’s 2025 “treasure chest” of new products. With upcoming developments such as a new Android operating system developed in collaboration with Samsung and Qualcomm, Google’s acquisition of DeepMind continues to be a key asset for the company’s advancement in AI technology.
