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Google has added a handy new feature to Duet AI, its all-in-one AI-powered collaborator for Workspace users. The tool can now remove the background of images in Slides and Drawings. The new ability was recently rolled out to users who have signed up for the Workspace AI Labs.
Google Workspace users can remove image backgrounds using Duet AI
Removing the background of images using Duet AI is fairly easy. Once you upload an image to Google Slides or Drawings, right-click on it for the context menu. Here, you will find a new “Remove background” option near the bottom—below the Crop, Replace, and Reset options.
A shortcut button to remove the background is also available on the top toolbar. Alternatively, you can go to Format options on the toolbar, click on Image, and then on “Remove background”. Duet AI will take a second or two to process the image and crop out its background. You will be left with the main subject against a white/blank background.
Since Google is just getting started with the feature, Duet AI may not always get it right. As reported by 9to5Google, it doesn’t accurately detect the background of images every time. Unfortunately, you cannot make additional edits if there is a mistake. Google only lets to give the result a thumbs up/down to share your feedback.
Additionally, you cannot reset images with backgrounds removed using Duet AI. So you have to undo changes or use version history to go back to the original version. As the publication notes, it might also be a better idea to manually crop the image to adjust its size rather than rely on artificial intelligence. AI may shrink the image.
The new feature is available through Workspace AI Labs
Google announced Duet AI as a one-stop hub for all its AI efforts for the Workspace suite of productivity apps in May this year. Duet AI has been available as an experimental tool for interested users ever since. You have to sign up through Workspace AI Labs to get access. The ability to remove the background of images will be available to users who sign up for the experiment.
Duet AI is also getting a side panel on several Workspace apps, including Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. The company may add a side panel to Gmail too. The panel serves as a dedicated section for all Duet AI features available for each app. The side panel is currently limited to a select group of users. Google may begin a wider testing in the coming weeks.
