AI for Image Modification or Generation

[trc65]

On another turning forum there is a discussion in using AI. Evidently, there has been an instance or two of someone stealing an image of a turning, using AI to modify it and then presenting it as their own. Stealing has been going on since the Internet started, so nothing new there, but the ease of modifying images is taking this to a new level.

There are of course tools to help ID the use of AI, but one member ran a few through detection tools and found the same image was ranked by one tool as 90%+ modified by AI, and another tool predicted only ~50% chance of being modified by AI.

Anyway, the real reason I started this thread is they were also showing image that used AI to modify backgrounds with incredible results.

Another point to make is that most AI tools will imprint a watermark on the image, but as most know there are many tools available to remove watermarks.

I have never used any AI tool other than what shows up in an ordinary Google search, so was curious how easy they are to use.

In about one minute I went to Google, searched for "Gemini", went to the page, uploaded a picture, told it to change the background and saved the result.

I uploaded this photo:



Told it to 'change the background to a white foreground gradient to storm gray background'. In about 30 seconds I got this image back:



Quite a difference!

First thing to notice is the Gemini watermark in the lower right corner touching the one form. Second thing is it made a hard line on the shelf I'd the second row.

Will I start using AI, probably to play around with, especially to see what happens if you try to use it for color/white balance/contrast, etc. I will occasionally manually edit photos to correct those things if I'm having a hard time with a photo.

I may use it to play with backgrounds some, but when I do, plan to leave the watermark, and mention that I've used AI for the background.

So, what's the big deal.... Maybe nothing, but personally I think it is being a little dishonest to use AI in a photo and not mention it. For posting in this forum, no big deal either way, but imagine if someone is using this tech to represent items for sale, be it completed objects, or maybe pieces of highly figured wood for sale. I'm sure we've all seen images of impossible looking figure in wood that is posted in various places.

Comments, thoughts, further examples, all is welcome.

 

[Gdurfey]

I really enjoyed the way you presented this topic Tim. Very thoughtful and insightful. So many folks I talk with just bash AI and aren’t objective. I also don’t like big media stories in the way they portray AI. Just my opinion but I don’t believe that AI is going to replace jobs in mass. If they do replace jobs in a certain area, I am going to look at those companies more closely and question them.

I had a conversation while I was on that fishing trip re this subject and the person knew a company that did lay off a bunch of folks. We discussed their lack of foresight and failing to see how to leverage AI to expand the company.

This contractor I am now working for is building an environment for the use of AI for the Air Force but the AF is taking the use to build maintenance models. They are ingesting huge amounts of data and then using the AI to dig, model, and report towards predicting failures, failure rates, etc. They like to say they have put “guard rails” on the prompts so the AI is very focused.

That got a little off topic gang, but what I am trying to get at is there are good uses. One thing for sure, I totally agree with Tim that a user should acknowledge its use whether helping an image or writing a description.

 

[trc65]

@Gdurfey

Interesting on the maintenance models for the AF. Is that for planes or another aspect? I ask as my nephew has spent his whole AF career at F.E.Warren working maintenance on missile silos and is now a Master Sergeant directing all those crews/teams. He is essentially a walking/talking AI model for that work, which is why he has never been transferred from that base.

 

[2feathers Creative Making]

I like doing my own stuff. I don't mind if you doing your stuff means AI gets involved. I do appreciate the acknowledgement of it's use. I feel that is only proper as we would do the same sort of thing if we got pro help from any other source.

 

[Wildthings]

I used ChatGPT to develop my itinerary for my 7-day long tourist trip to South Dakota last October. It was an amazing tool for that and will use it again for it. I've also used it for developing a purchase list and the cut list for installation of beadboard and trim at my son's house. Loved it

 

[trc65]

OK, this is some scary sh!t.

Took this image and told Gemini to change the form shape to a degikup bowl shape and change the background.



This is the result. The shape isn't a degikup as that shape doesn't have a narrow neck and flared mouth. However, it is a pleasing shape. AI also took it upon itself to finish off the interior for me. This is just too freaky.....

 

[daniscool]

A very true representation. We should update the rules to explicitly allow the use of AI as long as the usage is stated in the same post.

In the world of woodworking, AI is not nearly as dangerous as in other areas (though the potential for scamming is greatly increased) I think it is still important to set clear rules so that abuse is limited. Thankfully this is a very civil and friendly forum and I don't think we will see much if any malicious use but it is still important to set standards.

 

[Phil.H]

I've started playing some with Gemini. Mostly with car pics. It is astonishing what it can do.
These two pics are both generated. I used a picture I took of the car earlier. It replaced the backgrounds and altered the position of the vehicle.
I will continue with it to learn more.


Started with this one I took with my Iphone..

 

[DLJeffs]

Like most things, AI was developed to be beneficial and helpful but a small per centage of the population finds a way to use for bad stuff - like making fake photos of someone doing something they shouldn't be doing, making something look better than it is so they can sell it for more, etc. I use Photoshop to correct some of my photos, crop off stuff I don't need, rotate a scenic shot so the horizon is level (I think my eyes are crooked sometimes), adjust the white balance on a bright sunny shot etc. But I essentially tell the program what to do and how much to do it using sliding adjustable scales or per centage change amounts, etc. I don't trust the computer to do stuff autonomously because it feels like I've lost control. Plus I don't trust that my image would then be stored somewhere else and is available to someone else without my knowledge. I don't understand it completely but in many situations I think AI makes people lazy and robs them of control of their own material. When it comes to photography, AI is going to make more suspicious than I already am.

 

[Gdurfey]

@Gdurfey

Interesting on the maintenance models for the AF. Is that for planes or another aspect? I ask as my nephew has spent his whole AF career at F.E.Warren working maintenance on missile silos and is now a Master Sergeant directing all those crews/teams. He is essentially a walking/talking AI model for that work, which is why he has never been transferred from that base.

Tim, this is a new technology effort and currently focused on the supply chain data folks at Tinker. The first folks using it is the B-52 community. But it is rapidly expanding use including to the other 2 depot bases. Tinker AFB is OK City, the other 2 are Robins AFB, Robins, GA, and Hill AFB at Ogden, UT. Hill is responsible for missile maintenance. But all 3 of these depot organizations are looking at this technology. The future is great, just slow to roll out.

Hope folks didn’t mind the lesson in Air Force logistics.

 

[barry richardson]

AI can do some amazing stuff, but it bugs me that it is getting to the point where it is hard to determine what is real/true on the internet anymore...