OpenAI Expands GPT-4o Image Generator to All ChatGPT Users
OpenAI makes its popular GPT-4o image generator available to free ChatGPT users with a daily limit of three images. The expansion comes as the company reaches 500 million weekly active users and closes a massive new funding round.
OpenAI releases its GPT-4o powered image generator to all ChatGPT users, extending the feature beyond its previous paid-tier limitation. Free users currently receive a limit of three images per day, a threshold CEO Sam Altman mentions in recent communications. The initial launch overwhelms the company's computing infrastructure, with Altman noting that the massive demand literally causes their GPUs to "melt."
The image tool quickly becomes notorious on the internet for its ability to transform uploaded photos into the distinct style of Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli. This viral trend sparks significant concerns regarding copyright infringement and the training data OpenAI utilizes to achieve such stylistic accuracy. Additionally, some individuals exploit the generator to create fake receipts and other deceptive documents for fraudulent purposes.
In response to the misuse, an OpenAI spokesperson confirms that all generated images contain embedded metadata indicating their ChatGPT origin, and the company actively removes content that violates its guidelines. These product developments unfold alongside a major financial milestone, as OpenAI secures $40 billion in new funding led by SoftBank at a staggering $300 billion valuation, bolstered by a user base that now includes 500 million weekly active users.