What Can Image Generative AI Reveal About Our World?
Have you ever wondered what insights image generative AI can provide about the world we live in? Recently, I delved into an intriguing project that shed light on this question, prompting me to explore the topic further.
Researchers experimented with various generative AI image generation tools like Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, YandexART, and ERNIE-ViLG to create images of different generations in different contexts. These tools were specifically instructed to generate images of Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z in settings like “with family” or “at work.”
While the results were fascinating, it’s essential to consider the limitations of these models in interpreting the outcomes. Let’s dissect the aesthetics and representation of these images and understand how they are created in the first place.
Generative AI image models work by analyzing datasets of images paired with text descriptions to replicate relationships between words and visual appearances. The training data used for these models is extensive and diverse, encompassing various image-text pairs across multiple languages.
Exploring Limitations and Identity
One major limitation of these models is their reliance on past images, leading to challenges in accurately representing age groups across different generations. For instance, older generations might be depicted in their middle or old age due to a lack of digitized photographs from their youth for training data.
As we move forward in time, younger generations will have images of their entire lives online, but for older groups, images from their youth are not available digitally for training data, limiting the accurate portrayal of age demographics.
By analyzing the images generated by these models, we can gain insights into how age groups present themselves visually and how media representations shape our perceptions.
It’s crucial to recognize that these images are not devoid of cultural and societal influences. The training data reflects human choices and biases, impacting the style and content of the generated images.
These models provide a glimpse into our society, albeit through a filtered lens influenced by our shared cultural norms and media representations. Understanding the inherent biases in these models is essential for interpreting their outputs accurately.
While there are benefits to using generative AI image models, it’s important to be aware of their limitations and biases. By understanding the inner workings of these models, we can navigate their implications more effectively in our daily interactions.