AI - Google Research Imagen

About Google Research Imagen

Google Research Imagen is an innovative research initiative focusing on advancing text-to-image models. They explore the boundaries of creating vivid, lifelike visuals from textual descriptions using deep learning techniques. Their work is inspired by various concepts, from whimsical images of Corgis in sunglasses and beach hats in Times Square to more abstract ideas such as teddy bears swimming at the Olympics or sprouts forming the word 'Imagen' out of a fairytale book.

Despite the exciting potential of their research, Google Research Imagen acknowledges the complexities and risks associated with AI applications. They have decided against releasing their code or public demos due to concerns about responsible open-sourcing and potential misuse. Instead, they are exploring a framework that balances external auditing with the risks of unrestricted access.

The team also recognizes the significance of the data requirements in text-to-image models and their potential impact on society. They have filtered out unwanted content from their training sets but acknowledge the presence of problematic datasets, such as LAION-400M, which may contain harmful or derogatory associations to marginalized identity groups.

Google Research Imagen is collaborating with various experts and organizations in the field, expressing gratitude for their support and advice throughout the project's development process. Their projects include Imagen Video and Imagen Editor. The team also incorporates diverse elements into their research, such as a brain riding a rocketship, a raccoon Queen wearing a French royal gown, or a blue jay on a basket of rainbow macarons, emphasizing the limitless possibilities of their text-to-image models.