The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has led to remarkable breakthroughs in image generation in recent years. Tools such as Midjourney, DALL-E and Stable Diffusion make it possible to create impressive visual content from simple text descriptions. These technologies not only open up new possibilities for business applications, but also democratize creativity by giving everyone the opportunity to create visually. However, with these opportunities come challenges and concerns, particularly with regard to the creation of deepfakes and the spread of fake news.
The double edge of image generation AIs
While image-generating AIs open up new dimensions of creativity in advertising, product design and art, they also harbor the risk of creating convincing deepfakes. These can be used in the wrong contexts to spread disinformation and fake news, which underlines the need for responsible use and ethical considerations.
Functions and comparison
| Feature/KI | Midjourney | DALL-E | Stable diffusion (automatic1111) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First publication | July 2022 | January 2021 | August 2022 |
| Accessibility | Discord bot | API/Web platform | Local/Web UI |
| Main use | Art, Design | Broad spectrum of visual content | Art, design, image modification |
| Operating system | Cloud-based | Cloud-based | Any that supports CUDA kernels |
| Costs | Subscription-based | Depending on consumption | Free of charge (Open Source) |
| Special features | Stylized works of art | High level of detail | Local execution, extensive modification options |
Midjourney
Description and use cases
Midjourney specializes in the creation of stylized artwork and is used in the advertising industry and architecture for rapid prototyping and mood boards.
Advantages:
- Creates unique, stylized images.
- High creativity through artistic stylization.
Disadvantages:
- Requires a paid subscription.
- Access via Discord can be a barrier for some users.
DALL-E
Description and use cases
OpenAI’s DALL-E is known for its ability to generate detailed and versatile visual content and is used in a variety of fields.
Advantages:
- High level of detail and versatility.
- Broad spectrum of image styles and themes.
Disadvantages:
- Usage is based on a consumption model.
- Access and customization options may be limited for some users.
Stable diffusion with automatic1111
Description and use cases
Stable Diffusion is an open source text-to-image model that generates detailed images based on text descriptions, ideal for individual artists and developers.
Advantages:
- Completely free and open source.
- Extensive customization and modification options.
Disadvantages:
- Technical knowledge required for installation.
- High hardware requirements for optimum performance.
Sample prompts and image quality
To demonstrate the capabilities of each AI, let’s look at the results for the following prompts:
- A futuristic cityscape at night.
- A portrait of a nobleman from the 18th century.
- A surreal landscape in which the sky is made of liquid gold.
- A robot that bakes a cake.
- A dragon playing chess.
These examples illustrate the versatility and creative possibilities that arise through the use of image generation AIs.
Conclusion
The selection of the right image generation AI depends on the specific requirements and the desired area of application. Midjourney offers unique, stylized works of art, while DALL-E impresses with its attention to detail and versatility. Stable Diffusion with automatic1111 offers a free, customizable option for those willing to deal with the technical setup. By comparing these technologies, you can find the best solution for your creative or business needs, while remaining aware of ethical considerations and the need for responsible use.