- Can AI-generated images be used commercially without copyright issues?
- Copyright status varies by tool and jurisdiction. Most platforms grant commercial rights to generated images, but legal frameworks are evolving. Concerns include: training data copyright (AI learned from copyrighted images), output similarity to existing works, and ownership questions. Some tools (Midjourney paid tiers, Adobe Firefly) offer indemnification or train only on licensed content. Always review terms of service, consider trademark searches for brand-critical images, and consult legal counsel for high-value commercial use. Attribution requirements vary by platform.
- How do AI image generators compare to stock photography and custom illustration?
- AI generators offer unlimited unique images at low cost ($10-50/month vs $10-500 per stock photo or $500-5000 per custom illustration), instant delivery, and infinite variations. However, they lack the authenticity of real photography, may produce generic aesthetics, and struggle with specific requirements (exact product photos, precise brand elements, complex scenes). Best use cases: concept art, marketing visuals, social media content, and rapid prototyping. Stock photos and custom work remain superior for authentic human moments, precise brand assets, and legally critical imagery.
- What are the limitations and common problems with AI image generation?
- Common issues include: anatomical errors (hands, fingers, facial features), text rendering problems, inconsistent lighting/perspective, difficulty with specific counts ("exactly 5 apples"), and occasional nonsensical elements. Complex scenes with multiple subjects or specific spatial relationships challenge AI. Quality varies significantly by prompt engineering skill—vague prompts produce generic results. Ethical concerns include potential for creating misleading content, perpetuating biases in training data, and generating inappropriate imagery. Most tools implement content filters and usage policies.
- How important is prompt engineering for getting good AI-generated images?
- Extremely important—prompt quality directly impacts output. Effective prompts specify: subject, style, lighting, composition, camera angle, artistic medium, mood, and quality modifiers. Detailed prompts ("cinematic portrait of elderly woman, golden hour lighting, shallow depth of field, Hasselblad camera, photorealistic") vastly outperform vague ones ("old woman photo"). Learning prompt syntax, style keywords, and negative prompts significantly improves results. Many tools offer prompt libraries and communities sharing effective techniques. Expect learning curve of weeks to months for mastery.
- What are typical costs for AI image generator tools?
- Free tiers offer 10-50 generations/month with watermarks or lower resolution. Personal plans cost $10-30/month for 500-5,000 generations, commercial licenses, and higher resolution. Professional subscriptions range from $30-100/month with unlimited generations, priority processing, and advanced features. Per-image pricing ($0.10-1.00) exists for occasional use. Custom model training costs $50-500 depending on complexity. Enterprise solutions with API access and dedicated resources cost $500-5,000+/month.
- Can AI image generators create consistent characters across multiple images?
- This is challenging but improving. Techniques include: using reference images with image-to-image generation, custom model training (LoRA, DreamBooth) on specific characters, ControlNet for pose consistency, and character-specific prompts. However, maintaining perfect consistency across dozens of images remains difficult—facial features, clothing details, and proportions may vary. Some tools (Midjourney character reference, custom models) specialize in consistency. Best for concept exploration; professional character work may require manual refinement or traditional illustration for absolute consistency.
- How do AI image generators handle ethical concerns and content moderation?
- Reputable platforms implement content filters blocking NSFW content, violence, copyrighted characters, and public figures. They prohibit deepfakes, misleading imagery, and harmful content in terms of service. However, enforcement varies—some tools have stricter filters than others. Ethical concerns include: perpetuating biases from training data, environmental impact of computational resources, artist compensation for training data, and potential for misuse. Users should follow ethical guidelines, respect copyright, avoid creating misleading content, and consider societal impact of generated imagery.