Mashable: Microsoft and OpenAI continue to raise the stakes for generative AI.

Microsoft Bing and Edge can now generate images using AI.

On Tuesday, Microsoft announced Bing Image Creator, powered by "an advanced version" of OpenAI's DALL-E model. You can now create an image by typing out a description in the Bing search engine or Bing Chat. Image Creator is initially available in the "Creative mode" of Bing Chat.

 
When you're chatting with Bing, you can ask it to generate an image and it will magically conjure up an original image "simply by using your own words to describe the picture you want to see," said Microsoft's head of consumer marketing Yusuf Mehdi. Image Creator will also be available in Edge by clicking the icon in the sidebar.

Microsoft and OpenAI have become a powerful partnership in the generative AI space. OpenAI's GPT-4 model powers the new Bing, which has rattled Google's position as the go-to for search and natural language processing.

Earlier this month, Microsoft announced that Bing now has over 100 million daily users. A day after Google announced an API for its PaLM language model and AI-integration for Google Docs, Microsoft countered with the release of generative AI in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and the rest of its of work and productivity apps. OpenAI's DALL-E, which was released in 2021, has become famous for its controversial ability to generate images so realistic they can be used for deepfakes, and make graphic design and photography jobs obsolete.

In the announcement, Mehdi describes Image Creator as a tool for generate a visual for a newsletter or inspiration for decorating your living room.

"Historically, search was limited to images that already existed on the web. Now, there are almost no limits to what you can search for and create," he said.

Image Creator is rolling out to Bing and Edge. preview users on desktop and mobile today. If you don't currently have access to the Bing preview mode, you can test it out on Bing's microsite, bing.com/create.