Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) is a new feature that allows users to generate realistic images from text prompts, right in the Google Search bar. This feature, powered by Imagen, an AI image generator, is integrated with Bard, Google’s AI chatbot, to enable seamless collaboration and creativity.
In this blogpost, we will explore how Google SGE works, what are the benefits and challenges of using it, and how you can use it to create amazing images with Bard.
Table of Contents
How Google SGE Works
Google SGE is an extension of Google’s vision of a web search future that is more interactive, conversational, and generative. SGE uses generative AI, a branch of AI that creates new content from data, to transform text prompts into images.
To use Google SGE, you need to opt into the feature in Search Labs, which is currently only available in the US (English). You can access Search Labs by tapping the Labs icon in the latest version of the Google app (Android or iOS) or on Chrome desktop.
Once you opt into SGE, you can type any text prompt in the Google Search bar, and SGE will generate an image that matches your prompt. For example, if you type “a blue cat wearing a hat”, SGE will create an image of a blue cat wearing a hat.
1. Opting into Google SGE
To embark on the journey of creative exploration with Google SGE, users need to opt into the feature in Search Labs, currently available exclusively in the US (English). Accessing Search Labs is simple—tap the Labs icon in the latest version of the Google app (Android or iOS) or on Chrome desktop.
2. Generating Images with SGE
Once opted in, users can unleash their imagination by typing any text prompt into the Google Search bar. SGE will work its magic and generate an image that corresponds to the entered text. From simple prompts like “a blue cat wearing a hat” to more complex ones such as “a surreal painting of a city in the sky,” SGE’s capabilities span a wide range of creative expressions.
3. Collaborating with Bard
SGE isn’t just a standalone feature; it synergizes with Bard, Google’s AI chatbot. Bard can assist with various tasks, including writing, researching, and learning. Users can engage Bard to generate text from images or vice versa, creating a dynamic interplay between text and images through natural language commands.
You can also use SGE to generate images from more complex and abstract prompts, such as “a surreal painting of a city in the sky” or “a logo for a company that sells organic coffee”. SGE can understand and visualize various textual descriptions across different languages, thanks to its natural language processing and computer vision capabilities.
SGE is not only a standalone feature, but also a collaborative tool that works with Bard, Google’s AI chatbot. Bard is an AI assistant that can help you with various tasks, such as writing, researching, and learning. Bard can also generate text from images, and vice versa, using SGE.
To use SGE with Bard, you need to type “Bard” in the Google Search bar, and then start a conversation with the chatbot. You can ask Bard to generate an image from a text prompt, or to generate a text description from an image. You can also ask Bard to modify or edit the image or text, using natural language commands.
For example, you can ask Bard to generate an image of “a unicorn in a forest”, and then ask Bard to “make the unicorn pink” or “add a rainbow in the background”. You can also ask Bard to generate a text description of the image, or to generate a story or a poem based on the image.
Benefits and Challenges of Google SGE
Google SGE is a powerful and innovative feature that can offer many benefits to users, such as:
- Enhanced creativity: Google SGE can help users unleash their creativity and imagination, by enabling them to create images from any text prompt. Users can also use SGE with Bard to modify and edit the images, or to generate text from the images, creating a feedback loop of inspiration and expression.
- Improved productivity: Google SGE can help users improve their productivity and efficiency, by allowing them to generate images quickly and easily, without the need for any design skills or software. Users can also use SGE with Bard to assist them with various tasks, such as writing, researching, and learning, using images and text.
- Increased accessibility: Google SGE can help users increase their accessibility and inclusivity, by making image generation available and affordable for everyone, regardless of their background, language, or device. Users can also use SGE with Bard to communicate and collaborate with others, using images and text, across different platforms and channels.
However, Google SGE also poses some challenges and risks, such as:
- Ethical and social implications: Google SGE can raise some ethical and social issues, such as the potential misuse or abuse of the feature, the impact on human creativity and originality, and the responsibility and accountability of the users and the creators. Users need to be aware of the implications and consequences of using SGE, and follow the guidelines and best practices provided by Google.
- Technical and quality limitations: Google SGE can face some technical and quality limitations, such as the accuracy and reliability of the feature, the diversity and representation of the images, and the scalability and performance of the feature. Users need to understand the limitations and challenges of using SGE, and provide feedback and suggestions to Google to help improve the feature.
How to Use Google SGE with Bard
If you are interested in using Google SGE with Bard, here are some steps that you can follow:
- Opt into Google SGE: The first step is to opt into Google SGE in Search Labs, which is currently only available in the US (English). You can access Search Labs by tapping the Labs icon in the latest version of the Google app (Android or iOS) or on Chrome desktop.
- Start a conversation with Bard: The next step is to start a conversation with Bard, by typing “Bard” in the Google Search bar. You can then ask Bard to help you with various tasks, such as writing, researching, and learning, using images and text.
- Generate an image from a text prompt: The third step is to generate an image from a text prompt, by asking Bard to “generate an image of [your prompt]”. For example, you can ask Bard to “generate an image of a dragon”. Bard will then use SGE to create an image that matches your prompt, and show it to you in the chat window.
- Generate a text description from an image: The fourth step is to generate a text description from an image, by asking Bard to “generate a text description of [your image]”. For example, you can ask Bard to “generate a text description of this image”, and then upload an image of your choice. Bard will then use SGE to create a text description that matches your image, and show it to you in the chat window.
- Modify or edit the image or text: The final step is to modify or edit the image or text, by asking Bard to “modify or edit [your image or text]”. For example, you can ask Bard to “modify this image by adding a castle in the background” or “edit this text by changing the tone to humorous”. Bard will then use SGE to modify or edit your image or text, and show it to you in the chat window.
Conclusion
Google SGE is a new feature that allows users to generate realistic images from text prompts, right in the Google Search bar. This feature, powered by Imagen, an AI image generator, is integrated with Bard, Google’s AI chatbot, to enable seamless collaboration and creativity.
By using Google SGE with Bard, users can enjoy benefits such as enhanced creativity, improved productivity, and increased accessibility, as well as overcome challenges such as ethical and social implications, and technical and quality limitations.
Google SGE is a powerful and innovative feature that can help users create amazing images with Bard, using their imagination and expression. Google SGE is not a magic tool that can solve all your problems, but a creative partner that can support you and empower you.
