HT TECH wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe

Google Pixel 9’s Studio app is creating offensive Nazi and violent images, report says

Google is back in controversy as the Pixel 9’s Pixel Studio app is reportedly generating offensive images. Here’s all you need to know.

By: SHAURYA SHARMA
Updated on: Aug 26 2024, 07:05 IST
Google Pixel 9 series comes with a slew of AI smarts, but they may go against Google. (Google)

Google Pixel 9 series is finally available, packing better hardware than before. But, as always, being a Google device, it is loaded with a slew of new AI features that set it apart from the rest of the Android pack. One such feature is Pixel Studio. It works by generating images through text-based prompts. It is similar to how you generate images on platforms like OpenAI’s DALL-E 2 or Google’s own Gemini bot, but it is now natively present on the Pixel 9, naturally drawing more attention to the product. However, it’s not all smooth sailing for Google, as Pixel Studio has reportedly been found generating controversial images, much like Elon Musk’s Grok was found to do earlier this month.

Also Read: iPhone 16 Action Button to get new customisation features with iOS 18- Know what’s coming

Google Pixel Studio App Allows You To Make Controversial Images Like Grok

Digital Trends’ Joe Maring reports that during his experience with the Pixel Studio app, he was able to generate images of SpongeBob dressed as a Nazi—complete with a German uniform bearing the Swastika symbol. Additionally, the report mentions that it was also possible to create images of copyrighted IPs, such as Star Wars characters like Yoda doing cocaine, and more.

Not sure which
mobile to buy?

This mirrors what we recently saw with Elon Musk’s Grok AI on X. It freely generates images of IPs and can even create controversial images if you are clever enough with your prompts. This is concerning, especially given that AI images are becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from real-world images.

Also Read: IQOO Z9s vs CMF Phone 1: Know which is the best smartphone under Rs. 20000

What Is Google Doing To Implement Guardrails?

This 9to5Google report also echoes what Digital Trends has highlighted. Both publications confirm that while Pixel Studio is unable to generate images of people, it can easily go off track. 

“I’ve repeatedly tried to make Pixel Studio generate images of people, and it has consistently refused to do so, which is good. However, those ‘many safety checks’ that are supposedly in place don’t appear to work nearly as well as they should,” Digital Trends reported.

Google, speaking to the publication, said Pixel Studio and Pixel Screenshots do follow Google’s “AI Principles,” and that “we’ve disabled human generation and added many safety checks to our servers to balance our bold — yet responsible — approach to AI. This gives our customers access to a very powerful tool, but ensures we have checks in place to ensure Pixel Studio can’t be used nefariously.” It remains to be seen how Google addresses this going forward, and whether another Gemini-like debacle is on the horizon.

Also Read: Infinix Zero 40 5G leaks reveal design, specs, and camera features ahead of expected August 29 launch

Catch all the Latest Tech News, Mobile News, Laptop News, Gaming news, Wearables News , How To News, also keep up with us on ,Twitter, Facebook, , and Instagram. For our latest videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

First Published Date: 22 Aug, 14:04 IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS