I wanted to love Google Photos’ AI wardrobe feature — but it’s driving me crazy

I'm not sure whether to praise or criticize Google Photos' new AI wardrobe feature. On one hand, it's impressive that the AI can identify clothing items in my photos and organize them into a virtual closet with such accuracy. I was particularly amazed at how well it distinguished between different types of skirts and individual garments like T-shirts and blouses. The idea of being able to mix and match these clothes to create outfits is appealing.

However, the experience is far from perfect. There are numerous bugs and limitations that make using the feature frustrating. The setup process itself is simple enough, but I was unable to access the feature on my Android phone due to my Google Workspace account. Even when I switched to my partner's regular personal account, the app still wouldn't progress past the setup stage. This lack of clarity and support for certain account types feels like a very Google problem.

The real disappointment lies in the generative AI's performance when creating virtual outfits. It's a fantastic concept to see how different clothes could look together, but the AI fails more often than not. Tapping the "Try It On" button often resulted in nothing happening, error messages, or long processing times without a useful explanation. This unreliability makes the feature feel more like a work in progress than a functional tool.

Even when the AI does work, the results are hit or miss. The generated images of people wearing the outfits can be uncanny valley, providing an inaccurate representation of the user. However, the actual clothing models are impressive, looking true to life with accurate colors. This combination of promising visuals and disappointing functionality leaves me feeling both impressed and annoyed by Google Photos' AI wardrobe feature.

While it has potential, the current implementation is rough around the edges and needs significant improvements before it becomes a reliable and enjoyable tool.