Midjourney, a cutting-edge AI-powered platform, offers users the ability to generate one-of-a-kind artwork, including characters, images, and depictions, through concise text prompts.
A generative AI platform refers to an artificial intelligence system that has the capacity to produce original and unique content, often in the form of images, text, or other creative outputs. Unlike traditional rule-based AI systems that are designed for specific tasks, generative AI platforms utilize advanced algorithms, typically rooted in deep learning techniques, to autonomously generate innovative and contextually relevant outputs.
Midjourney AI is an innovative generative AI platform that introduces a new realm of creative expression. It has the ability to produce outputs that go beyond what was explicitly programmed, injecting an element of unpredictability and creativity into the field of AI. This technology can be applied across various domains of artwork, creating realistic images that do not exist in the physical world.
This article explores the concept of Midjourney AI, its functionalities, the effectiveness of prompts, how it differs from Dall-E 2, and the advantages of Midjourney artwork. It also delves into the ethical question of whether it is morally acceptable to use AI-generated art. Additionally, a step-by-step guide is provided for artists on how to utilize Midjourney to create unique AI-generated artworks.
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What is Midjourney AI?
Midjourney is an AI program and service developed by the research lab Midjourney, Inc. Led by David Holz, co-founder of Leap Motion, the Midjourney team has created a platform that generates visuals using natural language prompts, similar to OpenAI’s DALL-E and Stability AI’s Stable Diffusion.
Midjourney’s website describes the lab as “an independent research lab exploring new mediums of thought and expanding the imaginative powers of the human species.” The platform has been in open beta since July 12, 2022, enabling users to create high-quality artwork through simple text-based prompts using Discord bot commands. No specialized hardware or software is required to use Midjourney, but a Discord account is necessary to access the service.
How does Midjourney work?
Midjourney operates through the intricate interplay of two machine learning technologies: large language models and diffusion models. When users input prompts, a large language model interprets the meaning of the words and converts it into a numerical vector.
This vector plays a crucial role in guiding the diffusion process, in which Midjourney utilizes a diffusion model to transform random noise into visually captivating art. Diffusion models involve gradually introducing random noise to a training dataset of images. Over time, the model learns to reverse this noise, thereby generating entirely new images.
For instance, if a user provides a text prompt such as “Bitcoin mining with bright colors and an animated appearance,” Midjourney starts with a field of visual noise. Through latent diffusion, a trained AI model systematically removes noise, progressively revealing an image that embodies the essence of the specified objects and themes in the original prompt.
The synergy between language comprehension and diffusion modeling empowers Midjourney to create diverse and captivating AI-generated artworks based on user input or prompts.
How to get started with Midjourney — A step-by-step guide
Accessing the Midjourney beta requires a Discord account. Below is a step-by-step tutorial on how to use Midjourney for creating unique AI-generated images:
Step 1: Join the Midjourney Discord
If you already have a Discord account, visit Midjourney.com and click the “Join the Beta” button. Alternatively, you can directly join the Midjourney Discord server. If you don’t have a Discord account, register for a free account on Discord first, and then join the Midjourney Discord server. The Midjourney Discord can be accessed via the web, mobile, and desktop applications.
Step 2: Select a subscription plan
Initially, when the service was launched in July 2022, users could generate 25 images for free. However, as of April 2023, Midjourney paused the free trial program. Midjourney is now only available through paid subscription plans, with pricing details provided in the table below.
Step 3: Use the “/imagine” command to generate artwork
To begin, navigate to the “newbies” channel followed by a number on the Midjourney Discord server. There are multiple channels available, and you can choose any of them. In the newbie channel, enter “/imagine” followed by the prompt that you want Midjourney to generate images for.
For example, you can input the prompt “/imagine: Bitcoin mining in bright colors with an animated appearance.”
Another example of a /imagine prompt is “Ethereum blockchain elements in a modern tech setting,” which yields the following result:
How long does it take Midjourney to generate an image?
On average, Midjourney takes approximately one minute to generate four artwork options. However, this duration is not fixed, and it may increase if you desire an upscaled image or a non-square aspect ratio output.
Midjourney offers fast and relaxed modes in its subscription plans, which affect the generation speed. In fast mode, there is no need to wait in line behind others. However, even the most expensive paid plans have a monthly limit on the number of images that can be generated in fast mode.
In relaxed mode, image requests are queued, and generation can take anywhere from one to ten minutes to complete. Additionally, Midjourney offers an expensive “Turbo” mode, which can be activated using the “/turbo” command. Turbo mode generates new images four times faster but consumes twice as much time from your monthly allowance based on your subscription plan.
How to save Midjourney images, and who owns them?
To save an image generated by Midjourney, click on the image to open it in full size, then right-click and choose the “Save image” option. On mobile devices, long-tap the image and tap the download icon located in the top right corner.
Midjourney allows users to view all previously created images, including the prompts used to generate them. To access previously created Midjourney images on Discord, go to the Discord Inbox “Mention” tab and download the desired images.
Midjourney images are in the public domain, and ownership is open-source. Midjourney describes itself as an open community that permits others to use and remix images and prompts when shared in a public setting. By default, all Midjourney images are publicly viewable and remixable, meaning they can be accessed and modified by anyone. This raises questions regarding the sale of Midjourney artwork.
What sets Midjourney apart from Dall-E 2?
Dall-E 2 is a text-to-image model and the successor of Dall-E, developed by the OpenAI research lab, which also created ChatGPT. In 2019, OpenAI received over $1 billion in funding from Microsoft and Khosla Ventures. In January 2023, following the launch of Dall-E 2 and ChatGPT, OpenAI secured an additional $10 billion in funding from Microsoft. On the other hand, Midjourney is self-funded and developed by the independent lab Midjourney Inc.
Both Midjourney and Dall-E 2 leverage natural language descriptions to generate images from prompts. However, the choice between the two depends on specific requirements and preferences. Here are some of the differences:
Access: Midjourney can be accessed via Discord, while Dall-E 2 is only available through OpenAI’s website.
Image resolution: Midjourney can generate images with a resolution of 1792×1024, whereas Dall-E 2 produces images with a resolution of 1024×1024.
Subscription: Both platforms offer subscription plans, and users can refer to the respective websites for updated pricing information to choose the one that suits them best.
Benefits and utilization of Midjourney
Midjourney has empowered artists to explore various artistic styles, themes, and concepts, fostering creativity and pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms. Artists can experiment with multiple parameters and techniques, resulting in versatile outputs ranging from abstract compositions to realistic representations. Additionally, Midjourney saves time by providing quick AI-generated images.
Integration with platforms like Discord enhances the collaborative aspects of Midjourney, allowing artists to share ideas, techniques, and creations within a community of like-minded individuals.
Apart from artistic expression, Midjourney finds utility in creating product images, illustrations, social media creatives, marketing collaterals, nonfungible token (NFT) art projects, architectural visualizations, and more.
Is AI art legal and ethical?
While AI art is legal, its ethical implications are multifaceted, encompassing considerations related to creativity, ownership, bias, and societal impact. The central contention is that although AI tools contribute to the creation process, the input and guidance come from humans. Clearly defined guidelines on attribution and ownership are crucial to address these issues.
The commercial use of AI-generated art raises questions about fair compensation and the potential for plagiarism. Artists should be aware of the ethical implications of selling AI-generated work and ensure alignment with established norms in the art world.
AI models are trained on datasets that may contain biases present in the data, such as gender, racial, or cultural biases. This can inadvertently result in biased outputs, reinforcing existing stereotypes or prejudices. Artists and developers must be mindful of these biases and work to mitigate them.
The computational resources required to train and run advanced AI models like Midjourney and Dall-E 2 raise environmental concerns. The ethical discourse surrounding AI art should also take into account the carbon footprint associated with large-scale AI operations.