Google has announced the integration of new AI-powered features in its online document editor, Google Docs, starting with a highly anticipated image-generation tool. As part of its Gemini AI suite, which competes with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot, Google has now enabled users to create AI-generated images directly within their documents.
This addition is a game-changer for those who frequently use Google Docs for personal or collaborative work and need images or illustrations to complement their text. With this new tool, users can easily generate images without needing to leave the document or use an external tool. To insert an AI-generated image, simply navigate to the Insert menu, select Cover image, and then choose Help me create an image. From there, you can describe the image you want, select from various visual styles, and Gemini will generate multiple versions using the Imagen 3 AI model. You can then pick the version that best fits your needs.
This feature is rolling out in stages, starting with the “Rapid Release domain” on Friday, November 15, 2024, followed by a broader release to all other “Scheduled Release domain” users on Monday, December 16, 2024. However, access to the image generation tool will be behind a paywall. To use it, users must have a paid Gemini Business, Gemini Enterprise, Gemini Education Premium, or Google One AI Premium subscription.
