Improved image generation with ChatGPT is now free

They certainly didn't expect this, but by upgrading the photo generator within ChatGPT, OpenAI unwittingly opened Pandora's box. Various photos in the style of the famous Studio Ghibli artworks are spreading all over the world. Due to high demand, they gained one million users in one hour, the new generator was limited to users with a subscription only.

CEO Sam Altman announced on Xu that the image generation update is “now available to all free users.” There are usage restrictions, though ChatGPT itself doesn’t explain this. It only says that free users have “limited access” to image generation. Altman previously announced that free users will be able to generate images up to three times per day.

The updated image generation, powered by the company’s GPT-4o model, initially launched on March 25th and was always planned to be available across all ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Team, and Free subscription tiers. The free rollout was delayed just a day after launch, with Altman joking that their “GPUs are melting” due to high demand.

OpenAI recently closed another funding round, successfully raising an additional $40 billion, its largest ever, and the company is currently valued at $300 billion.