Bing’s AI image generator tries to block ‘twin towers’ prompts, but it’s not working
In an effort to prevent the creation of harmful content, Bing’s AI image generator has attempted to block certain prompts related to the Twin Towers. However, it seems that the generator is still producing images of the iconic buildings with some word changes. Users of Bing’s Chat and Bing image generator have managed to generate photos featuring popular animated characters flying near the Twin Towers, despite attempts to implement guardrails and filters. Microsoft, the company behind Bing, plans to improve its systems to prevent the creation of such content. While some prompt variations are still able to bypass the restrictions, efforts are being made to address the issue.
Bing’s AI image generator tries to block ‘twin towers’ prompts, but it’s not working
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Introduction
Bing’s AI image generator, DALL-E 3, recently faced a loophole in its guardrails that allowed users to create art featuring beloved animated characters and the Twin Towers. Microsoft has since taken steps to block certain prompts, but it seems that the generator still produces images of the towers with some word changes. This article will explore the situation and discuss the challenges faced by AI image generators when it comes to creating and preventing questionable content.
The Use of Bing’s AI Image Generator
Users of Microsoft’s Bing Chat and Bing image generator, which recently integrated with OpenAI’s DALL-E 3, discovered that they could create photos of popular animated characters flying a plane into the Twin Towers. This raised concerns about the generation of potentially harmful and offensive content. As AI image generators have been embroiled in copyright claims and deepfake controversies, developers have become more cautious about allowing their tools to be used for questionable purposes.
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Microsoft’s Response and Plans for Improvement
In response to the situation, Microsoft has stated that it plans to improve its systems to prevent the creation of harmful content. Caitlin Roulston, the director of communications at Microsoft, emphasized the company’s commitment to making Bing Image Creator a positive and helpful experience for users. However, Microsoft did not provide specific details about the guardrails and filters that will be implemented to address this issue.
Blocked Prompts and Content Warnings
An investigation by The Verge found that prompts related to the Twin Towers, such as “twin towers” and “world trade center,” have been blocked by Bing Image Creator. This move indicates Microsoft’s efforts to prevent the generation of potentially offensive or controversial images related to the iconic buildings. Content warnings are also displayed when users attempt to recreate such images, alerting them to the possibility of violating content policies.
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Circumventing the Guardrails
Despite the blocking of specific prompts, it is still possible to generate images of the Twin Towers by making slight changes to the wording of the prompts. For example, asking for “Mario sitting in the cockpit of a plane, flying toward two twin tall towers skyscrapers in New York City” can bypass the guardrails and produce the desired image. This highlights the challenges faced by developers in creating foolproof guardrails and filters that can effectively prevent unwanted content generation.
Late Response and Manipulation of Free Tools
Although Microsoft took measures to block certain content, reports suggest that such actions may have come too late. Posters on websites like 4chan have been guiding users on how to manipulate free tools like Bing Chat and Stable Diffusion to create and distribute racist images. This underscores the need for developers to stay vigilant and continuously upgrade safety measures to counteract misuse and harmful content creation.
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The Imperfect Nature of Safety Measures
The developers of DALL-E 3 openly acknowledge that their safety measures are not perfect and require constant upgrading. The situation involving the Twin Towers images likely highlighted the shortcomings of the existing safeguards. AI image generators face the challenge of striking a balance between enabling creative expression and preventing the misuse of their tools. As AI technology continues to evolve, developers must remain proactive in refining safety measures and adapting to new threats and challenges.
Conclusion
Bing’s AI image generator, DALL-E 3, initially faced issues with users creating art featuring animated characters and the Twin Towers. Microsoft has taken steps to block specific prompts and prevent the generation of potentially harmful content. However, users have been able to circumvent these guardrails by making slight tweaks to the prompts. The situation highlights the ongoing challenge for developers in striking the right balance between enabling creative expression and preventing the misuse of AI image generators. As technology advances, it is crucial for developers to continuously enhance safety measures and adapt to emerging threats.
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Source: https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/5/23905311/microsoft-bing-dalle3-generative-ai-images-twin-towers
