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On Tue, 22 Oct, 8:01 AM UTC
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Meld your photos with your imagination using Midjourney's new AI image editing tools
Midjourney's AI image creator is adding major new editing options to its platform, as announced by CEO David Holz on Discord. You'll be able to edit an uploaded image using generative AI, as you could only do with images that AI has created until now. Notably, this will be a web-based tool, expanding Midjourney's Discord-centered and exclusive features. While AI editing tools for images have been around for a bit, they are almost always restricted to images created with the same AI model doing the editing. Midjourney is taking the leap into allowing you to edit an image you want to edit rather than having the model make the initial creation. That's technically impressive since it means the model must understand more about an image that it didn't design from scratch. However, it may also be risky since other models may have held back from providing it as an option due to concern over people using it to mess with pictures of real people without their permission or to employ the AI for less-than-benevolent purposes. Once the image is uploaded, you can edit it in several ways. You can zoom in or out, adjust the angle, and otherwise play with the image without needing Discord and with just a single command. You can also use a digital brush for inpainting, allowing for more precise modifications. The most notable new element is the Retexture feature, which lets you precisely alter colors and other details while keeping the image's shapes and objects intact. Questions about the ethics of the creation and editing of AI images have led to heated debates, lawsuits, and other arguments. That makes Midjourney's decisions important for how its rivals and regulators figure out rules to set up internally and for the industry. Midjourney has agreed to embed metadata in AI-generated images so that they can always be identified, though not the more comprehensive C2PA standard as of yet. These are issues that Midjourney is well aware of. "Because these new features are so powerful we're going to restrict the deployment of them to a subset of the current community and increase our human moderation over the outputs (there's also new more advanced AI moderators which we feel will do a great job)," Holz wrote. "Honestly, we're not sure how to precisely restrict deployment of this feature, so we want to put a survey out there and get your opinions. We'll use these results to calculate what percentage of the userbase we'll reach with different restrictions and try to balance accessibility vs volume." For the average user, the ability to easily manipulate images with AI could make using Midjourney more appealing and make photo editing a lot easier. And as AI image makers become more common Midjourney wants to be more accessible. That's why the company decided to abandon Discord as its only outlet, though it's still a major center for the company's creations. Midjourney likely doesn't want to be left out simply because some don't want to sign up for Discord.
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Midjourney will soon let users upload and edit images with AI
Why it matters: Midjourney, the startup behind one of the most popular text-to-image AI models, just announced plans to roll out an upgraded web tool that will allow users to edit any image on the internet using the company's powerful generative AI capabilities. In a message posted to Midjourney's official Discord server last week, CEO David Holtz spilled the details on this upcoming "image editor" feature. Users will be able to upload any pic from across the web. The tool will then use recent advancements in "depth controlnets" to intelligently change an object's shape and textures based on a text description. "It keeps the shape of the scene/object but repaints all the texture/colors/details according to your prompt," reads the description shared by Holtz. Of course, putting such powerful editing abilities into the hands of Midjourney's several million users comes with huge implications around potential misuse. There are always fears that tools like these could be exploited for nefarious purposes like creating misleading deepfakes or violating copyrights on a massive scale. Despite this, the US still lacks a law criminalizing deepfakes at the federal level - though at least a dozen states have enacted statutes against AI impersonation, with many more considering following suit. Holtz seems to recognize the gravity of the situation, saying in his Discord post that Midjourney will initially restrict access to a "subset of the current community" as it works to improve human and AI monitoring systems to prevent abuse of the editor. However, he admits that the company is "not sure" how to implement such restrictions. The company is now polling its user base to get feedback on who should get early access. To their credit, Midjourney has been ahead of the curve on one front by embracing IPTC's Digital Source Type metadata standards that flag AI-generated images. But the company is trailing others, like Adobe, who use more robust provenance such as C2PA, which is another metadata technology that traces an image's full editing history. It's worth mentioning that Midjourney launched a new website in August that lets anyone generate AI images through text prompts by simply signing up with a Google account. Subscription plans are available after an initial free trial period.
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Midjourney introduces powerful AI-driven image editing capabilities, allowing users to manipulate any uploaded image. The move sparks discussions on ethical implications and potential misuse.
Midjourney, a leading AI image generation company, is set to launch a groundbreaking web-based tool that will allow users to edit any uploaded image using their powerful generative AI capabilities. This significant advancement, announced by CEO David Holz on Discord, marks a departure from Midjourney's previous Discord-centered approach and expands their offerings to a broader audience [1][2].
The upcoming image editor boasts several impressive capabilities:
These features leverage recent advancements in "depth controlnets," allowing the AI to intelligently modify an object's shape and textures based on text descriptions [2].
Midjourney's decision to create a web-based tool signifies a strategic move to increase accessibility and attract a wider user base. By no longer relying solely on Discord, the company aims to appeal to users who may have been hesitant to sign up for the platform [1]. This aligns with Midjourney's recent launch of a new website that allows anyone to generate AI images through text prompts using a Google account [2].
The introduction of such powerful editing capabilities has raised significant ethical concerns within the AI community. There are fears that these tools could be exploited for creating misleading deepfakes or violating copyrights on a massive scale [2]. The ability to manipulate images of real people without their consent is a particular area of concern [1].
Recognizing the potential risks, Midjourney is taking a cautious approach to the deployment of these new features:
Midjourney has taken steps to address transparency concerns by agreeing to embed metadata in AI-generated images for identification purposes. However, they have not yet adopted the more comprehensive C2PA standard used by some competitors like Adobe [1][2].
The lack of federal legislation in the United States specifically criminalizing deepfakes highlights the complex regulatory environment surrounding AI image manipulation. While at least a dozen states have enacted statutes against AI impersonation, many more are considering similar measures [2].
As Midjourney prepares to roll out these powerful new editing tools, the AI industry and regulators will be closely watching to see how the company balances innovation with responsible use and ethical considerations.
Midjourney, a leading AI image generation platform, has introduced a new web-based AI image editor. This tool combines image generation and editing capabilities, offering users a more streamlined and powerful creative process.
3 Sources
Midjourney, the popular AI image generation tool, has made a significant shift in its accessibility. The service is now free for all users and has expanded beyond Discord to offer a dedicated web interface, marking a major change in its user experience and market position.
5 Sources
Ideogram 2.0, the latest AI image generator, is making waves with its advanced text rendering capabilities and improved realism. This update challenges industry leaders and introduces new features for both web and mobile users.
5 Sources
Google's upcoming Pixel 9 smartphone introduces an AI-powered Magic Editor feature, allowing users to dramatically alter photos. While innovative, it raises questions about the authenticity of digital images and potential misuse.
3 Sources
Meta introduces 'Imagine Me', a new AI feature that allows users to create personalized AI-generated images of themselves. This tool, integrated into Facebook and Instagram, marks a significant advancement in AI-powered content creation for social media platforms.
13 Sources