OpenAI is expanding access to its best AI image generator for non-subscription ChatGPT users. They can now generate two images per day using the DALL-E 3 model.
Until now, DALL-E 3 was only available to ChatGPT Plus subscribers, but those who pay the $20 monthly subscription fee can get up to 50 images per day for their money.
DALL-E 3 represents a significant improvement over OpenAI’s previous AI image generators, as it can produce photorealistic images, accurate text, and even fill in missing parts of an image with generated content designed to fit the rest of the image (a technique known as inpainting).
A two-image limit for free users suggests that OpenAI wants to show off DALL-E 3 just enough to entice users to sign up for the subscription service. Of course, you can also use Microsoft’s Image Creator, which also uses DALL-E 3 but has a daily limit of 15 images. However, OpenAI is likely relying on ChatGPT’s full suite of features to keep those interested in high-end AI imagery on the platform.
However, producing only two images per day is even more limiting than it might initially seem. One of the challenges of AI image generation is the iterative process often required to achieve the desired result. Users typically produce multiple images, make adjustments based on the output, and repeat the process until they are satisfied. With only two attempts per day, this approach is basically impossible. Either you are satisfied with at most one edit, or you have to wait a day.
We’re introducing the ability for ChatGPT Free users to create up to two images per day using DALL·E 3. Just ask ChatGPT to create an image for a slide deck, personalize a card for a friend, or show you what something looks like. pic.twitter.com/3csFTscA5I8 August 2024
AI for everyone
This isn’t the first time a supposedly premium ChatGPT feature has found its way into the free version either. The third-party-created custom GPTs were only available to premium subscribers when they were launched, but now any free ChatGPT user can browse and use them.
The best example of ChatGPT’s expanded offering in the free tier is the recently released GPT-4o, the company’s most powerful large language model, which is also available to all ChatGPT users. As with DALL-E 3, while it comes with some usage limitations, it is still a way to get far more people experimenting with OpenAI’s more advanced AI projects.
However, the inclusion of DALL-E 3 in the free version also underlines the growing importance of visual content in digital communication. OpenAI is racing with Google, Meta and others to provide tools to quickly and easily generate high-quality images. You will likely see better and better models for free as they compete for your valuable typing time.
