ChatGPT’s Enhanced Image Creation Now Free for All

ChatGPT’s newest image-making tool — which has captured widespread attention for its remarkable ability to craft eerie renditions of Studio Ghibli artwork — is now accessible to everyone, following OpenAI’s initial postponement of its broader release beyond premium tiers due to overwhelming interest. CEO Sam Altman revealed on X that this image creation upgrade has “now been extended to all free-tier users.” There are restrictions, however, though ChatGPT itself remains vague — noting only that free users enjoy “restricted access” to the feature. Altman had earlier shared that the complimentary level would permit three image creations daily, a limit the tool enforced before prompting me to subscribe for more. Driven by OpenAI’s GPT-4o framework, this advanced image generation debuted on March 25th and was always intended to span the ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Team, and Free subscription levels. The expansion to free users was deferred just a day after its debut, with Altman quipping that “our GPUs are overheating” amid surging demand. At its peak, ChatGPT gained a staggering million new users in a mere hour. Yesterday, OpenAI finalized a fresh funding cycle, securing an unprecedented $40 billion — the most substantial capital raise for a private tech firm ever recorded — boosting the company’s valuation to an impressive $300 billion.