OpenAI just dropped a major update to ChatGPT, and this one’s a game-changer. For the first time, its GPT-4o model can natively generate and edit images—no more relying on separate tools like DALL-E. This means smoother, more integrated AI-generated visuals right inside your chat.
The update rolled out today for Pro users ($200/month), but OpenAI says it’ll be available to Plus, free-tier users, and API developers soon. And judging by the internet’s reaction, people are already having a field day with it.
Until now, ChatGPT could only handle text. Sure, DALL-E 3 was great for generating images, but it was a separate tool. Now, GPT-4o does it all—text and images—making the process more fluid.
The model takes a little longer to generate images compared to DALL-E, but OpenAI promises the tradeoff is worth it: better accuracy, more detail, and smarter editing tools. You can tweak existing images, adjust backgrounds, and even make modifications to photos with people in them.
It didn’t take long for users to test the limits of the new feature. One trend that instantly took off? Ghibli-style AI art. People are uploading photos and watching as GPT-4o transforms them into dreamy, hand-drawn anime-style masterpieces. It’s exactly the kind of thing that gets the internet buzzing.
One notable difference from DALL-E? The images generated by GPT-4o don’t have visible watermarks. That makes them look cleaner, but it also raises the usual concerns about AI-generated content being misused or passed off as human-made artwork.
With this update, Google's most recent AI model, Gemini 2.0 Flash, which has just included native picture production, is now directly competing with OpenAI. However, OpenAI is being cautious, stating unequivocally that GPT-4o will not mimic the techniques of live artists and that it contains protections against abuse. Creators who do not want their work to be included in AI training datasets can also choose to opt out.
The distinction between text, image, video, and audio production is becoming increasingly hazy as AI models develop further. The most recent release from OpenAI is evidence that we are moving towards a day when AI technologies will be able to produce fully integrated digital material whenever it is needed.
So, is this the next big thing in AI creativity? Only time will tell, but for now, the internet is having a blast putting GPT-4o through its paces.
