One of my favorite technological marvels is AI image generation. If you’re not familiar, it involves an AI model generating images from descriptive text. The real magic lies in witnessing the AI’s interpretation of text into visual art. I began experimenting with OpenAI’s DALL-E about six months ago, and the rapid advancements in creative output have amazed me. Other notable mentions in this space include MidJourney and Stable Diffusion with more upcoming.

Which AI Image Generator Reigns Supreme?

Asking which AI image generator is the best is like asking the best flavor of ice cream. It’s highly subjective and depends on your goals. For casual use, most are on par with one another. Business applications, however, demand a closer examination of features. Given that most platforms require a subscription, selecting one that offers the most useful tools is important. My advice? Experiment with various models until you find one that best fits you.

The Magic Behind the Scenes

Most models are trained through a process called diffusion, which involves deconstructing an image by adding noise (random pixels) until it becomes indiscernible. This forward diffusion process takes several iterations to complete.

The forward diffusion is followed by a reverse process, systematically removing the noise to recreate the original image. While training the model the process is repeated many times using different images. This training enables the AI to recognize various objects, textures, and nuances. The training also teaches the model how to generate images from scratch.

The model’s creativity is its ability to draw from a vast dataset for inspiration, which is nothing short of remarkable.

Practical Applications in the Business Realm

AI-generated images have found their niche in various business sectors:

• Marketing & Advertising – A boon for graphic designers and ad creators, allowing for rapid concept visualization.
• Product Design & Prototyping – Facilitates swift generation and iteration of product concepts.
• Content Imagery – An efficient solution for sourcing the perfect image for blogs, social media, web design and newsletters, serving as a cost-effective alternative to stock photos.
• Image Enhancements – Offers capabilities to modify or add elements to an existing image. A real estate agent, for example, can virtually stage photos of a home to enhance the appeal of the property online.

Crafting Effective Prompts

To leverage AI image generators effectively, consider the following tips:

1. Specificity is Key: Detailed prompts yield better results. Try to be very specific when providing details about the subjects in your prompts. What does the subject look like? What is the subject doing? Where is the subject located? Describe the subject’s surrounding.
2. Frame Your Request: Specify how you plan to use the image – whether on a webpage, in a marketing brochure, or an email newsletter – to help the model determine the appropriate output size.
3. Unleash Creativity: Experiment with styles, perspectives, and angles to discover unique creations.
4. Variety is the Spice of Life: Generating multiple variations of the image can spark additional creativity.

Acknowledging Limitations

Some models have challenges when multiple humans are the subject. It’s not uncommon to see strange results like distorted body parts. It does better when groups are further away so individual features are not distinguishable.

Images with text is also problematic for some models. For images where you expect to see text, an image of books on a shelf, for example, you’ll likely see made-up words, random characters strung together, or no words at all. The simple reason is that the AI models are not trained to read text in images. However, advancements are ongoing, promising improvements in those areas soon.

Ethical and Legal Considerations

The potential for generating sensitive or copyrighted content exists, therefore be cautious when posting AI-generated content. The platforms try to filter out sensitive content, but it may not catch everything.

Also, since the models were trained on information from the Internet, there will unfortunately be inherent biases at times. Using specific prompts is one way to mitigate unintended biases.

Lastly is the growing concern around the use of fake images. Meta announced that they plan to implement policies requiring AI-generated images to be labeled when posted on their platforms. A bill was introduced in Congress earlier this year to protect individuals from having their likeness or voice used in AI-generated content without their consent.

Looking Ahead

AI image generators stand as a testament to the intersection of technology and creativity, offering both practical business solutions and avenues for artistic exploration. As we navigate this evolving landscape, guiding AI with our unique perspective and ethical considerations remain paramount. Use this additional tool in the AI toolkit to help you, and have fun with it.