Adapted by:
Javier Márquez
WriterI've been in media for over a decade, but I've been marveling at the possibilities that technology brings us much longer. I believe we live in a world where the digital revolution is changing everything and that Xataka is the best place to write about it.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
Social media platforms have been flooded with stunning images generated by artificial intelligence. They showcase a variety of recognizable visual styles. Examples include Studio Ghibli-style reinterpretations of historical scenes, vacation photos resembling LEGO sets, and portraits reimagined as Muppet characters. There are also impressive pixel art images, all featuring an unexpected level of detail.
ChatGPT’s image generator. The latest feature of OpenAI’s popular chatbot allows users to generate images in seconds by simply specifying a visual style. You can start from scratch or use a photo as a reference. The results often look like scenes straight out of an animated movie.
Magic comes at a cost. Demand has surged to the point where OpenAI’s servers are feeling overwhelmed. “It’s super fun seeing people love images in ChatGPT, but our GPUs are melting,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shared on an X post on Thursday.
Temporary restrictions. OpenAI has implemented usage limits to prevent further strain on its systems. As a result, the image generation process may take longer. User requests might also be outright rejected, even under normal conditions where they would typically be permitted.
Only available to paying customers. Only users with a paid subscription (such as ChatGPT Plus or ChatGPT Pro) can currently access the feature. Free users will eventually be able to generate up to three images per day, although that option isn’t available yet.
Managing demand is crucial. The issue extends beyond AI. Any cloud-based system can be affected by excessive usage. If not addressed promptly, it can lead to performance issues or even significant failures.
An infrastructure challenge. OpenAI has historically relied exclusively on Microsoft as its cloud service provider. However, in recent months, the company has begun diversifying its infrastructure by partnering with other providers like Oracle.
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However, resources remain limited. This scarcity not only hinders the development of new features but also impacts the accessibility of existing ones. This is especially the case during peak usage times.
A long way from profitability. This challenging situation comes at a critical moment for the company. According to The Information, OpenAI continues to incur massive losses, currently amounting to billions of dollars annually. Projections suggest that this figure could triple to $14 billion by 2026.
Image | @MDurbar
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