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3w ago

ChatGPT's Viral Image-Generation Feature Fuels Record Growth and Challenges

OpenAI's GPT-4o image tool drives unprecedented user adoption but strains infrastructure, prompting new investments and accessibility initiatives.

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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Overview

  • OpenAI's ChatGPT has reached 500 million users, adding 4.5 million paying subscribers since late 2024, with the GPT-4o image-generation feature as a key driver.
  • The GPT-4o model has advanced capabilities, including handling up to 20 elements in prompts and generating realistic text within images, but has raised concerns about misuse for scams and fake documents.
  • Overwhelming demand for GPT-4o has caused capacity issues, leading to temporary service slowdowns and restrictions on free-tier access, though limited access for free users has been reinstated.
  • OpenAI recently secured $40 billion in funding, with $10 billion allocated immediately to address infrastructure challenges and support future growth.
  • To support students during finals, OpenAI is offering free ChatGPT Plus subscriptions in the US and Canada through May, expanding accessibility to its advanced features.