Google Docs is expanding its AI-powered image generation tool, driven by Gemini and Imagen, to Android devices, nine months after its initial desktop rollout. This feature, which began its phased rollout last Friday, is expected to reach all eligible users within two weeks.
Initially, Google Docs introduced an AI tool for generating cover images over a year ago. Last fall, the functionality was expanded to general-purpose image creation within documents, utilizing Gemini and Imagen, though it was exclusively available on desktop platforms at the time.
Access to this generative AI capability within Google Docs is not universal. It is restricted to users subscribed to Google’s premium AI Pro and AI Ultra plans, or those with supported Business or Gemini Education accounts. For consumers, this limitation means the feature is primarily available to a subset of Google’s user base.
However, there are avenues for some users to gain access. For instance, individuals who purchased a Pixel 9 device may already have AI Pro bundled with their device. Furthermore, Google is reportedly planning another free AI Pro deal for the upcoming Pixel 10, potentially broadening access for future Pixel smartphone owners.
This expansion signifies Google’s continued integration of generative AI into its core productivity suite, moving beyond desktop-only solutions to enhance mobile workflows. While the technology’s long-term impact on user behavior remains to be fully seen, Google’s move suggests a commitment to making AI-powered tools more accessible across its ecosystem, particularly for tasks like image creation where it can offer a convenient alternative to traditional methods.
