Image Generation AI
Image generation AI refers to generative AI that creates new images from text instructions or reference images. It is used for ads, documents and e-commerce visuals, and commercial use requires checking rights and terms of service.
Image generation AI is the umbrella term for generative AI that creates new images from a text instruction (prompt) or a reference image. It greatly shortens the time needed to produce ad banners, website illustrations, product images for e-commerce and figures for internal documents.
Well-known services
| Service | Strengths |
|---|---|
| Image generation in ChatGPT (GPT Image in the API) | Refine images in conversation; handles text inside images well |
| Image generation in Gemini | Google's models; strong at editing while keeping the person or product in a reference image |
| Midjourney | Known for photographic and artistic quality |
| Stable Diffusion family | Open models you can run on your own servers and lock to a style with LoRA |
| Adobe Firefly | Training data managed with commercial use in mind; integrated with Photoshop |
| Canva and other design tools | Combined with templates, usable by non-designers |
The right choice depends on the job: ChatGPT for announcement graphics with text, Gemini for swapping the background of existing product photos, and the Stable Diffusion family for high-volume work that must match a brand style.
A workflow for business use
- Decide the medium, size, brand colors and what to avoid before you start
- Describe the subject, composition, style, lighting and background concretely; some services respond better to English prompts
- Do not settle on the first result: generate four to eight options, pick one and refine parts of it
- Add text, crop and color-correct in your usual design tools
- Record which service and prompt produced each image, so rights and reproducibility can be checked later
Pricing
There are usually three models: a free tier (limited number of images or resolution), a monthly subscription, and pay-as-you-go API pricing. Running models on your own servers makes GPUs the main cost. Commercial-use rights and ownership of the output differ by plan, so check before you sign up.
Commercial use and rights
In many jurisdictions, images generated by AI without meaningful human creative input may not be protected by copyright, which makes it hard to stop others from copying them. At the same time, generating and using an image that closely resembles an existing work can infringe. Avoid generating celebrity faces, other companies' logos and copyrighted characters.
Do not create images that could pass as real products or real results. To guard against misuse as deepfakes, keep a record that an image was AI-generated. A practical setup is a written guideline on who may use which tools for what, with a named reviewer. For video, see our Sora entry, which covers alternatives after the service ended. We help companies introduce generative AI and write usage guidelines through our AI & DX services.
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