OpenAI Delays ChatGPT Image Generator Launch for Free Users

OpenAI has announced a delay in the rollout of ChatGPT's new image generation feature for free users due to unexpectedly high demand, as expressed by CEO Sam Altman. The feature, powered by the upgraded GPT-4o model, was introduced just recently but has already led to a surge in user engagement, particularly with social media trends featuring images in the style of Studio Ghibli. Currently, the image generation capability is only available to paid subscribers on ChatGPT's Plus, Pro, and Team plans. Altman acknowledged that this isn't the first time OpenAI has faced challenges in launching new features, often attributed to limited computing capacity. The company is working on expanding its infrastructure to better accommodate future demand. As of now, the timeline for providing access to free-tier users remains uncertain.