OpenAI extends access to DALL-E 2 and announces pricing. All generated motifs can be used commercially without restriction.
OpenAI is expanding access to DALL-E 2 with immediate effect, aiming to have around a million people on the waiting list gain access to the image AI in the upcoming weeks. This should mean that pretty much every registered interested user will soon be able to use the system.
15 US dollars for about 460 images
OpenAI also answers the hugely fascinating question of how much high-quality AI-generated images should cost. This question is so important because DALL-E 2 can generate such high-quality illustrations and graphics that the system can at least partially replace the work of graphic designers.
OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman has announced in advance that DALL-E 2 may impact the job market. The pricing structure now announced supports this assumption.
Similar to GPT-3, OpenAI introduces a credit system for DALL-E 2. A credit corresponds to a prompt (image generation command) for a new image, for editing an existing image, or for creating variants of a generated image. Since each prompt generates up to four images, this results in about 460 AI-generated motifs per month - for only 15 US dollars.
Those who have used up their 115 prompts can purchase Credit Packs with another 115 prompts for $15. Artists with limited financial resources can request cheaper access.
In addition, OpenAI now allows commercial use of DALL-E images. "Starting today, users get full usage rights to commercialize the images they create with DALL·E, including the right to reprint, sell, and merchandise," the company writes. This also applies retroactively to images created during the research preview.
High-quality AI graphics - for little money
Of course, by no means every prompt will produce a good image. You often have to experiment with different words and phrases to get a good result. That's what the tests so far have shown.
But even if you needed all 115 prompts for a single good image, that would be just $15 for a high-quality illustration or graphic. That doesn't seem expensive when compared to prices one would have to pay human professionals for their time spent on similar work.
OpenAI says the pricing model is for the beta phase, which is starting now, and may change. "As we learn more and gather user feedback, we plan to explore other options that will align with users’ creative processes," OpenAI writes.
Opening DALL-E 2 to more people is possible thanks to advances in security and diversity, says OpenAI. The dangers of misuse, such as editing images of famous people, creating images that violate content guidelines, or images that show strong bias, have been reduced through various measures, according to OpenAI.
