AI Images Are The New Modern Clip Art

Google has made a significant announcement about the integration of Gemini-based AI image creation directly within Google Docs. This follows the release of stock cover photos in Docs back in September. Now users can create personalized, AI-generated images.

Google’s blog elaborates on this new feature: “The capacity to produce unique images with Gemini in Docs allows everyone, regardless of their artistic background, to craft distinctive and visually appealing content. This means you can convey your ideas more effectively, without the hassle of searching endlessly for the right image.”

This image creation tool is powered by Google’s latest Imagen 3 model, also utilized in Gemini. Users can opt to place these images as cover photos at the top of their documents, or even integrate them within the text.

Why might you find this handy? Google suggests various potential applications for these images, including “restaurant menus, marketing briefs, or promotional flyers.” Much like other AI image generation tools, users can create an image based on a prompt and then modify it according to their preferred aspect ratio and style.

While we’ve all played around with adding images to documents before — often reminiscing about the days of the late ’90s filled with clip art in Word — this new feature encourages users to embellish their documents and marketing material with AI-generated visuals.

Notably, the disclaimer indicating that images are generated using Gemini AI is somewhat understated, simply labeled under “Help me create an image.”

Despite past limitations, AI-generated visuals have become remarkably sophisticated. The evolution from unmistakably artificial (and often amusingly poor) art to incredibly lifelike images is quite remarkable. AI supporters certainly have valid points. However, anyone who has experimented with generative AI knows that achieving a specific vision requires patience and precise adjustments. Using these images effectively demands a discerning eye and a careful touch, similar to how one would handle clip art — a practice that has its own history.

On a positive note, it’s exciting to see the roll-out of AI features to a broader audience, even if there is a cost associated with them for now. This functionality is currently available exclusively to Google Workspace users who possess specific Gemini packages: Gemini Business, Gemini Enterprise, Gemini Education, Gemini Education Premium, or Google One AI Premium.

The initial rollout began on November 15 for “Rapid Release” users, while a wider “Scheduled Release” for all other users is anticipated to commence on December 16.