Just a day after OpenAI’s new ChatGPT image generation feature took social media by storm, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has announced that the company is introducing temporary limitations due to overwhelming demand.
The new feature, which enables ChatGPT-4o users to generate and edit AI-powered images, quickly became a viral sensation, especially for its ability to recreate breathtaking, dreamlike Studio Ghibli-style artworks. Thousands of users jumped on the trend, sharing their AI-generated images of anime-style self-portraits, pets, famous landmarks, and even historical moments. However, the surge in usage pushed OpenAI’s GPU resources to their limits, leading to slow response times, errors, and accessibility issues for many users.
Sam Altman Acknowledges the Overload
In response to the skyrocketing demand, Altman took to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm that OpenAI is temporarily introducing rate limits on image generation requests to ease the strain on its infrastructure.
“It's super fun seeing people love images in ChatGPT. But our GPUs are melting. We are going to temporarily introduce some rate limits while we work on making it more efficient. Hopefully won’t be long.”
This announcement came shortly after several ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team users reported issues generating images. Some received error messages stating that their requests did not meet OpenAI’s content policy, even when their prompts were completely appropriate. Others noted that free-tier users seemed to have even more difficulty accessing the feature, leading to frustration among those eager to try it.
Why is ChatGPT’s Image Tool So Popular?
OpenAI’s new image generation tool is different from its previous DALL-E models because it integrates image and text capabilities into a single AI system. Unlike older models that required a separate tool, this seamless experience allows users to generate, modify, and enhance images directly within ChatGPT by simply typing prompts.
The tool’s ability to recreate the soft, hand-painted aesthetic of Studio Ghibli films sparked a viral trend on platforms like X, Reddit, and Instagram, where users began experimenting with the AI to:
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Transform profile pictures into delicate anime-style versions.
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Reimagine famous movie scenes in a Studio Ghibli-inspired art style.
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Create whimsical versions of pets, landmarks, and historical figures in dreamy, soft-focus colors.
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Merge different art styles and blend elements to create entirely new concepts.
Even high-profile figures like Sam Altman and X CEO Elon Musk joined the trend, further amplifying its reach.
Limited Rollout and Access Issues
Despite OpenAI’s claim that the new tool is available to all ChatGPT users, the reality has been quite different.
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ChatGPT Plus subscribers, who have consistent access to GPT-4o, have been able to use the feature more reliably.
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Free-tier users have faced significant difficulties, often being unable to generate a single image.
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Pro and Team users have also reported that their image requests fail at times, likely due to ChatGPT switching between models that don’t support image generation based on server load.
This uneven rollout has led to frustration among free-tier users, many of whom feel that they were given false hope about the feature being universally available.
OpenAI’s Plan to Limit Image Generation Requests
To prevent further overload and ensure a smoother experience for all users, OpenAI is temporarily restricting image generation:
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Free-tier users will soon be limited to just three image generations per day.
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Pro, Plus, and Team users will also face restrictions, though OpenAI has yet to specify exact limits.
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These limits are temporary, as OpenAI works on improving efficiency and optimizing GPU resources.
Altman has reassured users that the company is actively working to fix the issues and hopes that the restrictions will be lifted soon.
What’s Next for ChatGPT’s Image Generation?
Despite these temporary setbacks, OpenAI’s text-to-image capabilities are still in their early stages, and the company is expected to continue refining and expanding the feature. Future improvements could include:
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More efficient GPU usage, allowing OpenAI to increase generation limits.
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Expanded editing capabilities, enabling users to refine AI-generated images more precisely.
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Custom style options, give users greater control over the artistic aesthetic of their images.
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Better rollout consistency, ensuring that all users—free and paid—can access the tool without frequent failures.
For now, if you’ve been enjoying ChatGPT’s new image generation tool, be prepared for temporary restrictions as OpenAI works to scale its infrastructure and accommodate the massive demand.
