Getty Images has given an upgrade to its AI image generator which is trained solely on the photo agency’s vast library. Getty has two AI image generators: Generative AI by Getty Images and Generative AI by iStock. The updated model is built on the NVIDIA Edify model architecture, part of NVIDIA Picasso, which Getty describes as a “foundry for building and deploying generative AI models for visual design.” Getty says the updated technology improves the speed and quality of image generations while also offering improved 4K upscaling. The model supposedly has better alignment with user prompts, longer prompt capabilities, and the ability to fine-tune models. The model can generate four images in about six seconds which is double the performance of the previous model. AI images generally tend to come out small (typically 1024px on the longest side) but Getty says its advanced upscaling tool can achieve 4K resolution.
Longer text prompts mean users can enter up to 250 words while it promises that the extra detail will result in the images more closely matching the user’s prompt. It also offers “advanced camera controls” allowing users to control photography-like settings such as depth of field and style. The update includes inpainting and outpainting tools. This means users can modify an AI image by extending the canvas or highlighting individual elements to change them. That feature is available now on iStock and will come to Getty Images shortly. “We continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with responsible AI‑generated imagery,” said Grant Farhall, Chief Product Officer of Getty Images. “This updated model, and the new capabilities we are launching, will provide more opportunities for our customers to leverage AI, including alongside our amazing pre‑shot content, to bring their visions to life more efficiently than before, and in a manner that is commercially safe with the legal protections Getty Images is known for.” Getty insists that its model is exclusively trained on its own library (over 80 million images) meaning it can provide indemnification for customers wanting to use AI images commercially. This is no doubt important to Getty which remains embroiled in a lawsuit against AI image generator Stable Diffusion which is accused of stealing more than 12 million of Getty’s copyrighted photos.
