OpenAI's image generator is now free for all users

Everyone can now use ChatGPT's built-in image generating feature. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced last week that the company is delaying the free tier distribution "for a while" due to the tool's unexpected popularity. However, the company made the feature available to free users over the weekend, allowing them to make graphics directly from within ChatGPT rather than switching to OpenAI's DALL-E generator. Prior to its inclusion in the free tier, the tool was only available to Plus, Pro, and Team subscribers.

Altman previously stated that free users will have a daily restriction of three photos. Based on our testing, some accounts are limited to one per day. Those who are able to generate more than one will still have to wait anywhere from a few minutes to many hours.

One of the most popular uses of the program so far has been to create Ghibli-style graphics from real-life photos. Users simply submit their desired photo and instruct ChatGPT in natural language to build a Ghibli-style version of it. The development had renewed worries regarding the legality of using copyrighted work as training data for artificial intelligence. It also recalled Hayao Miyazaki's, Studio Ghibli's creator, response to being shown AI-generated animation years before. "I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself," the filmmaker stated.

In a tweet, Altman stated that the tool may still exhibit irregular behaviour and refuse to allow certain generations. OpenAI is still addressing the problem. The corporation also stated that it "takes action" if a generated image breaches company requirements, but it did not elaborate on what those actions are.