The Rise of AI: Users Leverage Google’s New Model to Erase Watermarks from Images
Users have discovered a controversial use for Google’s new Gemini AI model — removing watermarks from images. This functionality has stirred debate as it includes images published by well-known stock media outlets like Getty Images.
Recently, Google expanded access to its Gemini 2.0 Flash model, which allows users to generate and edit images directly. This capability has received praise, albeit with the caveat that it lacks robust guardrails. The model can effortlessly generate images depicting celebrities and copyrighted characters, and notably, it can also remove watermarks from existing photos.
Users have been vocal on platforms like X and Reddit, sharing that Gemini 2.0 Flash not only eliminates watermarks but also attempts to fill in gaps left behind, making it particularly competent for this purpose. In some cases, the AI places a subtle watermark to replace the original.
Gemini 2.0 Flash is classified as “experimental” and is not recommended for production use. It is currently available through Google’s AI tools like AI Studio. Although the model does encounter challenges with certain watermarks, particularly those that are semi-transparent or cover large areas.
The absence of usage restrictions on Gemini 2.0 Flash has raised alarms among copyright holders, especially as removing a watermark without the original owner’s consent can be illegal under U.S. copyright law, with few exceptions. Competing models from other companies, like Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 Sonnet and OpenAI’s GPT-4o, have taken a firmer stance against watermark removal, labeling it as unethical.
As the conversation continues, Google has not yet commented on this emerging issue.
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