OpenAI has announced that its new image generation tool, powered by the GPT-4o model, is now available to all users. CEO Sam Altman confirmed the expansion in a post on X, stating that the feature, which was previously limited to paying ChatGPT users, is now accessible to a broader audience.
Although OpenAI has not specified the exact number of images that free-tier users can generate daily, Altman previously mentioned a limit of three images per day. The tool has gained immense popularity since its launch, with demand surging to the point where OpenAI’s GPUs were reportedly “melting” under the load.
However, the tool’s rapid adoption has also sparked controversy. Many users have leveraged it to transform pictures into the signature style of Studio Ghibli, a renowned Japanese animation studio. This has raised concerns over copyright issues and the nature of the training data used by OpenAI. The similarity in style has led to debates about whether the company’s model is inadvertently replicating protected artistic works.
Additionally, some users have exploited the tool to generate fake receipts, including restaurant bills, which has further fueled ethical concerns. In response, an OpenAI spokesperson informed TechCrunch that all AI-generated images contain metadata indicating their origin, and the company actively takes action against guideline violations.
Meanwhile, OpenAI has made significant strides in business growth. The company recently secured $40 billion in funding led by SoftBank, bringing its valuation to a staggering $300 billion. Furthermore, OpenAI revealed that ChatGPT has reached 500 million weekly active users and 700 million monthly active users, marking a significant milestone in AI adoption and accessibility.
