Image Editing and Gemini AI

After our class with Rich McCue discussing googles gemini AI, photo editing, and AI use in the classroom, several things stood out to me. What i liked most was how easy it was to create such a hyper realistic image from just a simple prompt, whereas when using other sources like Chat Gpt for example, the photos produced look animated, and its easy to tell that its AI. However, Gemini shocked me, as I followed Rich McCue’s suggestion, a simple prompt saying, “take this photo of my dogs, and turn them into action figures.”

This was the result, a hyperrealistic picture showing someone holding up a “Heroic Hounds” action figure set, in what looks to be a Walmart or grocery store. The possibilities with this kind of technology are endless, especially in the classroom, as teachers can create visual aids painlessly, prompts for creative writing, or custom posters specific to their unit.

At the same time, AI tech like this scares me, as not only do all students have equal access to this technology, but I think it might create an over reliance on technology, reducing opportunities for students to practice their drawing, photography or other creative skills done by hand. I think AI is still a tool for good, but Gemini AI reminded me that technology is beneficial only when its used with purpose.