Microsoft Reverts Bing Image Creator After User Backlash Over Quality Decline
What Happened with the Bing Image Creator Update?
In December 2024, Microsoft announced an upgrade to the AI model powering Bing Image Creator, its AI-driven image generation tool integrated into the Bing search engine. The new model, based on OpenAI’s DALL-E 3 (code-named PR16), promised faster processing and higher-quality outputs. However, users quickly noticed a significant drop in quality, sparking widespread complaints on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit.
User Reactions Highlight the Problem
- Reddit users expressed frustration, with one stating, “The DALL-E we used to love is gone forever”.
- Others switched to alternatives like ChatGPT, citing Bing’s degraded performance.
- Social media posts showcased side-by-side comparisons, with users calling the new outputs “lifeless” and “cartoonish.”
Microsoft’s Response: Rolling Back to the Previous Model
Facing mounting criticism, Jordi Ribas, Microsoft’s Head of Search, confirmed the company would revert to the earlier DALL-E 3 PR13 model while addressing the issues. In a post on X, Ribas explained:
“We’ve been able to reproduce some of the issues reported and plan to revert to PR13 until we can fix them. The deployment process is slow—it started over a week ago and will take 2-3 more weeks to complete.”
Why Did the Update Fail?
While Microsoft’s internal benchmarks suggested PR16 was slightly better on average, user feedback told a different story. Key complaints included:
- Reduced realism in generated images.
- Lack of detail and polish, making outputs appear artificial.
- Inconsistent performance compared to the previous model.
This isn’t the first time an AI image generator has faced backlash. Earlier in 2024, Google paused Gemini’s ability to generate images of people after users flagged historical inaccuracies.
Key Takeaways
- User Feedback Matters: Even with rigorous internal testing, real-world performance can deviate from expectations.
- Balancing Speed and Quality: Faster generation shouldn’t come at the cost of output quality.
- Transparency in AI Development: Microsoft’s quick response to revert the model demonstrates accountability.
What’s Next for Bing Image Creator?
Microsoft is now working to resolve the issues before re-releasing the updated model. For now, users can expect a return to the more reliable PR13 version in the coming weeks.
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