OpenAI introduces improved image generation capabilities for ChatGPT

Luke Meredith

In the latest update for its flagship artificial intelligence (AI) product, OpenAI has released an update to ChatGPT’s image-generation capabilities.

The GPT-4o model has predominantly specialised in generating and editing text for users, with limited image capabilities. The newly updated model can edit existing images, including those featuring people, with the ability to add, remove and transform at a level previously unseen with ChatGPT.

For example, I asked ChatGPT to edit this photo of our Operations Manager Alan, wearing a sombrero, in the style of Pokémon.

This was the result:

OpenAI has stated that the new capabilities result in ChatGPT taking a little longer to ‘think’ when taking on larger image tasks, such as the one I asked of it. The Pokémon-inspired, sombrero-wearing Alan image took around two minutes to generate.

Since the update was released, social media platforms have been flooded with images and memes using ChatGPT to create or transform scenes in a variety of styles. The most common art style being used thus far is that of Studio Ghibli, the Japanese studio known for huge animation films like “Spirited Away”.

From a copyright point of view, experts in intellectual property law have stated that OpenAI is not necessarily breaking any laws by creating images replicating the style of well-known pieces of media.

However, it is unknown whether OpenAI has been able to achieve this likeness of Studio Ghibli’s art style by training its image generation model using frames upon frames of the studio’s films. To make the legalities slightly more murky, a number of courts are in the process of determining whether copyrighted works, such as an animation studio’s films, can be used to train AI models under the protections of fair use.

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Luke Meredith

Content Editor at Engage Web

At home in both the digital sector and the world of communications, Luke thrives on deadlines and has held roles in healthcare, retail and digital marketing, gaining a sound knowledge of a wide range of sectors. He’s a massive swot as well, holding a first-class degree in BA Communication and Media, and now uses his writing skills and keen editorial eye in his role as Content Editor here. Luke helps to oversee our clients’ content requirements, while also looking after a pool of freelance writers across three continents.