Google’s ‘woke’ AI image chatbot still isn’t fixed — and critics blame CEO Sundar Pichai: ‘Should be at incredible risk’
NY Post
The Google Gemini chatbot’s “woke” AI image generator still isn’t fixed more than a month after its disastrous rollout – and some critics claim it’s the latest sign that embattled CEO Sundar Pichai should be out of a job.
The search giant disabled Gemini’s ability to create pictures of humans in late February after it produced bizarre ahistorical photos such as Black Vikings and “diverse” Nazi-era German soldiers.
At the time, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis said that the feature would be “back online very shortly in the next couple of weeks”.
As of Sunday, Google’s AI image generator was still offline, with users told that the company “expect(s) this feature to return soon.” Asked for a timetable on when it will be fully restored, a Google spokesman declined to comment.
It’s a rare, embarrassing retreat for the Silicon Valley juggernaut. In a potential sign of trouble for Pichai, Google’s reclusive co-founder Sergey Brin admitted the tech giant had “definitely messed up” and “upset a lot of people” in rare public remarks after the Gemini fiasco.
The 51-year-old Pichai — who also blasted the chatbot’s behavior as “completely unacceptable” in a memo to employees — has enjoyed remarkable freedom during his eight-and-a-half years as CEO. He enjoys close ties with Brin and fellow co-founder Larry Page, who retain voting control over every facet of the business.
