Google brings AI-generated imagery to Docs with Imagen 3

Google is dialing up creativity in its Workspace suite by introducing AI-powered image generation in Google Docs.

Powered by its Imagen 3 model, the feature allows paid Workspace users to create photorealistic custom images directly within their documents—offering a sleek alternative to traditional stock images for professional and creative projects.

This latest rollout builds on Google’s earlier success with AI-generated visuals in Slides, where the “Help me visualize” tool debuted in August. Now, Docs users can generate unique inline or full-bleed cover images using simple text prompts. These tools are tailor-made for visually rich documents like restaurant menus, marketing proposals, or promotional materials.

Cover images take the experience a step further, but they require activating Docs’ pageless mode, which lets AI-generated visuals span the entire width of the document.

Yet before all Google Docs users rejoice, a little caveat: this feature remains exclusive to paid subscribers of Google Workspace for now, including Business, Enterprise, Education Premium, or Google One AI Premium. Free-tier users will need to wait, as the feature is being rolled out gradually and may take time to reach all eligible accounts.

This push is part of Google’s broader strategy to make its Workspace tools smarter and more engaging. Since integrating the Gemini AI model into Workspace in mid-2024, Google has been equipping Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Drive with AI capabilities for tasks like summarizing, analyzing, and generating content.

Yet, Google faces stiff competition. Microsoft has already implemented AI-powered image generation in Word and PowerPoint through its Designer and Copilot tools, leveraging OpenAI’s DALL-E 3 model. Microsoft users can seamlessly create and insert images into their projects with simple prompts and enjoy Copilot’s additional AI capabilities across Word, Excel, Teams, and beyond.

While Microsoft may have been quicker to embrace AI-powered creativity, Google’s incremental updates signal a steady commitment to keeping its tools competitive in the evolving productivity landscape.

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