ChatGPT Image Generator Surpasses 700M Images; India Fuels Growth After Free Access Rollout

OpenAI's ChatGPT image generation feature has experienced significant adoption, with users creating over 700 million images since its launch on March 25, 2025. This surge in activity follows the rollout of the feature to free users. CEO Sam Altman noted that India is a significant driver of this growth. The image generation feature is powered by OpenAI's GPT-4o model, allowing users to create detailed images directly within the chat interface using text prompts. The tool supports a wide range of artistic styles, including the popular Studio Ghibli style, which has raised some copyright concerns. OpenAI has implemented measures to manage the high demand, including temporary rate limits, and is working to improve the efficiency of the service. Altman has also acknowledged the strain on OpenAI's infrastructure due to the feature's popularity.