The image generatorcan be downloaded for free by anyone. In a OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that the AI image generator tool has “now rolled out to all free users!”
There’s been a lot of buzz around the image generator recently as people have been using it to generate images in the style of Studio Ghibli animation. The rush to use the image generation tool in ChatGPT prompted Altman to say its servers “are melting” in a post on March 27.
Altman said at the time that image generation would be free, but that users would be limited to three images per day. Those who pay for ChatGPT for $20 a month for a standard subscription of $200 for a Pro subscription won’t have that limit.
I tested the tool to create the lead image for this post. The ChatGPT app struggled a bit with a lost connection, but eventually generated an image of a ChatGPT flying over New York in less than five minutes.
The AI arms race heats up
OpenAI’s move to widen the audience for ChatGPT further with its image generator marks the latest chapter in an increasingly heated competition among companies developing AI technology. In addition to plenty of startups in the US, China and other countries, there’s Apple, Anthropic, Microsoft and Google, which just introduced Gemini 2.5, its latest AI model, a week ago. ChatGPT is estimated to have about Other AI models are gaining in popularity.
AI models are being asked to produce more content, such as images and videos. They’re also being asked to improve their ability to solve problems and handle tasks. ChatGPT has a feature that allows users to create videos, called Sora (19459047), but it’s only available for paid accounts.
AI critics become users
Serena Huang, AI consultant, author of The Inclusion Equation (19459047) and a doctorate holder in economics said that she too was recently flooded with Ghibli pictures on her social media. She told CNET that
“AI image generation is a powerful catalyst for enhanced productivity and innovation,” the use of image generators like OpenAI is a growing trend. Huang also noted that people should take into consideration the copyright implications of AI-generated content and the energy required to perform AI tasks. She also emphasized the potential effects image generation can have on the creative industries, such as the loss of jobs.
Huang expects that other companies, such as Microsoft Copilot, which offer rudimentary images creation, will likely step up their game. She said “I anticipate significant advancements as the competition for users intensifies,” .
