I saw some strange things this week: bearded women, six-legged reindeer, and a man driving a car with his head sticking out of the windshield. However, none of these images were real. I’ve been testing AI image generators to find a favorite, and my top pick can be downloaded here: flagship Android phones.

AI image generators turn text prompts into images. Their popularity increased in 2022, as text-to-image AI models such as DALL-E, MidJourney, and Stable Diffusion attracted the attention of tech communities. These are still around and have evolved, but my favorite Google Twins.

Gemini is Google’s AI chatbot, and I tested its rendering capabilities alongside nine alternatives. Although it’s far from perfect, it’s what I’m happiest with. It is simple to use and produces convincing images with just a few iterations.

What can the Gemini AI renderer do?

And what can’t he do unless you pay

To create an image, open the Gemini app on your phone or go to Google Gemini on the web. Then write your prompt; After a few minutes, an image pops up.

Unlike alternatives, Gemini creates images for free. However, only Gemini Advanced subscribers can request images of contacts. Ability to visualize people Removed from Gemini in early 2024 It was improved and brought back after discussions. Paying and free users get a high-resolution image (2,048 x 2,048 pixels) created by the same AI model from Google called Imagen 3.

Gemini is prevented from creating images that include children or identifiable people such as celebrities. Requests for violent, sexual or disturbing content will not be processed. Google’s Prohibited Use Policy The page discusses ways in which it is inappropriate to use generative AI.

What are the alternatives to Gemini’s AI images?

There are dozens of AI image generators, but Gemini’s capable alternatives are from names you’ve heard of before. ChatGPT and Microsoft Designer leverage the DALL-E 3 AI model and give you several free images per day. In my experience, Gemini’s images are more realistic and accurate. Adobe’s Firefly is worth considering for fictional and artistic images. It falls apart when you request anything that requires a realistic looking person.

Stable Diffusion, MidJourney and Flux.1 are Gemini’s most worthy competitors, especially in professional applications. However, I was not able to test them as thoroughly as I would have liked. Still, the results looked promising and could match or exceed Gemini’s capabilities in certain uses.

This makes Gemini my favorite AI image generator

Not only is it free to try

The images above were created using Google Gemini.

Gemini reminds me of the golden days of Google Search. I type my request, press Enter, and get results quickly, without friction or distraction. Its simplicity and ease of use are among the most important reasons why I love Gemini. I also like the high quality of the images created. Most of the time I get what I expect. When I don’t, it’s easy to ask for revisions because Gemini defaults to previous prompts.

Geminis make mistakes and have flaws. For example, he cannot count or spell well. You will have a hard time getting the exact count of something or any text in the image rendered without errors. I’ve found that most AI image generators struggle just as much unless they’re optimized for the job (like Ideogram is for text rendering).

I don’t see Gemini as the ideal renderer for any particular application, but I believe it is adequate for many home and business uses. Here are a few that come to my mind:

• Need images or clipart for a website or presentation? If stock image websites don’t have something you want, Gemini fills in the gaps.

• Animators and game developers can use Gemini to create textures and backgrounds or quickly visualize concept art.

• Architects and designers can preview ideas for color or material combinations, products or room arrangements.

• Marketing professionals can produce eye-catching graphics for campaigns.

• Teachers can provide visual aids for topics or create coloring books for younger children.

• Entrepreneurs can create artificial intelligence images to sell on shirts or mugs in their stores.

• Create a new wallpaper or greeting card that no one else has.

Another factor in Gemini’s favor is that rendering is free unless you want humans in your design. For many, this will be their first contact with text-to-image technology. Kudos to Google for making a useful tool widely available.

Google Gemini and AI may change the way we create content forever

I felt like a kid let loose in a candy store while testing Google Gemini and Google alternative image generators. This is a new world with new possibilities that can transform the way we work, play and express ourselves.

Gemini’s AI image generation has its limits, but so do its competitors. But not all of these come with the accessible, simple process and convincing results I see at Gemini. This gives it the edge in my book, and it’s exciting to see how far we can go if AI is given a few more years to develop.