Artificial Intelligence is developing rapidly. DALL-E 2 is now included in Microsoft Designer, a web app that helps businesses and other users generate custom images for their needs. DALL-E 2 has gained popularity in recent years, with over 1.5 million users actively creating over 2 million images daily using the system for various purposes, including ad campaigns, architectural design, and creative projects.
Microsoft has been working closely with OpenAI since 2019 to accelerate advancements in AI technologies, and this integration of DALL-E 2 into its apps and services is part of their ongoing collaboration.
Introduction to Microsoft Designer Video: Microsoft.com
Microsoft Designer is a web-based tool that allows users to generate designs for presentations, posters, digital postcards, invitations, graphics, and more, using AI technology, including DALL-E 2, for instant image generation. Users can choose from templates and customise their designs further. During the limited preview period, Designer will be free to use, and once it becomes generally available, it will be included in Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions, with some functionality available for non-subscribers. Your business might already have access to Microsoft Designer. If so, DALL-E 2 is included in your subscription. If not, it’s well worth considering.
Bing Image Creator, new AI-powered visual Stories, and updated Knowledge Cards are being introduced to the new Bing and Edge preview. Bing Image Creator is powered by an advanced version of the DALL∙E model from OpenAI, allowing users to generate images by describing the picture they want to see using their own words. With Bing Image Creator, users can now create both written and visual content in one place, directly within chat.
In this blog post, we will explain what DALL-E 2 and Microsoft Designer are and how your business can make the most of these AI image generator apps.
What is DALL-E 2?
Dall-E 2, developed by artificial intelligence company OpenAI, is an image generation system that uses text descriptions to create realistic images and art. Introduced as a follow-up to the original Dall-E in 2021, Dall-E 2 boasts up to four times better resolution, resulting in more accurate and realistic images.
The name “Dall-E 2” is a clever combination of two inspirations: Salvador Dalí, the iconic Spanish artist known for his surrealist works, and Wall-E, the lovable robot from Pixar’s animated film. This pays homage to both the artistic and robotic aspects of the software.
Using Dall-E 2, OpenAI’s image generation engine is a simple yet powerful process. It starts with inputting a text description that conveys the image you want to generate. This description can be as simple or as detailed as you like, ranging from a basic sentence to a more elaborate depiction. We entered two different commands in order to create two different images.
Our first command was: “Generate a mesmerising fantasy image of a serene underwater world with colourful coral reefs and underwater android robots swimming among them, and rays of sunlight filtering through the crystal-clear water.” And here is our favourite result:
The second command we used was: ”A photo of a fluffy marshmallow creature eating a banana”. And here is one of the images that DALL-E 2 generated for us:
Once you have provided the text description, you submit it as a prompt into the Dall-E 2 interface or prompt generator, following the given instructions. The AI model then interprets the prompt and generates an image corresponding to it. If desired, you may have the option to adjust parameters such as image size, style, or other attributes to fine-tune the generated image according to your preferences. This step is optional and depends on the tool you are using. After initiating the image generation process, Dall-E 2 uses its advanced AI capabilities to create an image that aligns with the input prompt.
Once the image is generated, you can review the output and make further adjustments or refinements as needed. This could involve tweaking the parameters, trying different prompts, or experimenting with different styles or concepts until you are satisfied with the result. It’s important to note that, like any AI system, Dall-E 2 may not always produce perfect or accurate images, and results may vary. Therefore, it’s essential to review and validate the generated images to ensure they meet your intended purpose and requirements. Once you are satisfied with the generated image, you can save it to your device or share it with others, depending on the capabilities of the specific tool or interface you are using. And the best part is that you have complete commercial ownership of the generated images, meaning they can be used for marketing, advertisements, presentations or just for fun.
What can DALL-E 2 be used for in business?
DALL-E 2-generated images have the potential to be used for various business applications. Some potential use cases of DALL-E 2 in business include:
- Content creation: DALL-E 2 can generate a wide range of high-quality images from textual descriptions. This can be used for creating visual content such as marketing materials, advertisements, social media posts, product images, and website graphics. Businesses can leverage DALL-E 2 to quickly generate visual assets that align with their brand image and messaging, saving time and effort in the content creation process.
- Product design: DALL-E 2 can generate 3D models and product prototypes based on textual descriptions. This can be valuable in industries such as manufacturing, industrial design, and interior design, where businesses can use DALL-E 2 to generate virtual prototypes of products or design concepts, which can help with visualisation, concept testing, and iteration.
- Virtual and augmented reality: DALL-E 2 can generate images that can be used in virtual and augmented reality experiences. Businesses can utilise DALL-E 2 to generate virtual objects, scenes, or environments for virtual and augmented reality applications, such as virtual showrooms, virtual tours, and immersive training simulations.
- Branding and logo design: DALL-E 2 can generate unique and creative visual elements that can be used in branding and logo design. Businesses can use DALL-E 2 to generate visual concepts, colour schemes, and graphical elements that can be used to create distinctive brand identities and logos.
- Personalisation and customisation: DALL-E 2 can generate custom visual content based on individual user preferences or inputs. For example, businesses can use DALL-E 2 to generate personalised visual recommendations for products, services, or experiences based on user preferences, interests, or other contextual information.
- Storytelling and multimedia production: DALL-E 2 can generate visual content that can be used in storytelling and multimedia production, such as illustrations for books, comics, or graphic novels. Businesses can leverage DALL-E 2 to generate visual elements that enhance their storytelling or multimedia content, making it more engaging and visually appealing.
Several big-name brands like Heinz and Nestle already use DALL-E 2 to generate advertisement images. This is most likely just the beginning and shows the development path that AI-generated images will probably take as it becomes increasingly important in the commercial world.
Are there any risks with using DALL-E 2 and Microsoft Designer?
As technology continues to advance, generative AI like DALL-E 2 has become a hot topic of discussion. While the concept of AI-generated images has been around for some time, recent months have seen significant and rapid changes in this field, thanks to advancements made by companies like OpenAI and Microsoft.
One of the primary concerns with using any new technology is its level of accuracy and reliability. DALL-E 2, like any other AI, learns from user input and feedback. The more people use it and provide feedback, the better its results become. However, during this learning process, there may be instances where the generated images may appear slightly strange or not exactly what was intended.
Another potential issue with AI-generated images is the challenge of controlling machine-learned bias. OpenAI acknowledges that it is nearly impossible to eliminate biases completely from the output of generative AI. For example, a user may request an image of a doctor, and DALL-E 2 may generate an image of a middle-aged white man in a white coat holding a stethoscope. These biases are a reflection of the pre-existing human perspectives present on the internet, which can inadvertently influence AI-generated content.
To mitigate potential risks, Microsoft has implemented safe-search features on the images used by DALL-E 2 to create its content. These features are designed to filter out dangerous or explicit photos and drawings, such as violent or explicit scenes. However, there may be instances where some inappropriate content may still slip through the filters.
It’s important to note that DALL-E 2 is not yet perfect. While it is a powerful tool for generating images, it’s essential to take your time and go through several steps to ensure that the generated images align with your intended purpose, brand guidelines, and ethical standards. Careful consideration should be given to potential biases, copyright infringement, or inappropriate content in the generated images. It is crucial to use DALL-E 2 responsibly in your design projects and be mindful of the ethical considerations associated with AI-generated content.
Using Microsoft Designer
Using the powerful integration of DALL-E 2 in Microsoft Designer, we were able to create two stunning images that perfectly suited our creative needs. For the book cover, we used the same command that we entered in DALL-E 2. “Generate a mesmerising fantasy image of a serene underwater world with colourful coral reefs and underwater android robots swimming among them, and rays of sunlight filtering through the crystal-clear water.” And here is the result:
We then we on to create a book cover. We entered the following command “Design a book cover using the attached image the book title is The Create that lives in Atlantis the book author is V. Telloy”. Here is the final result:
For the Instagram post, we used the same command that we used for our marshmallow DALL-E 2 generated image. ” marshmallow creature eating a banana”
We then we on to create an image for our Instagram post. We entered the following command “Use the image of a marshmallow eating a banana to create an Instagram post for a cake shop”. Here is the final result:
The versatility of DALL-E 2 and Microsoft Designer allowed us to create two distinct original images that effectively conveyed the mood and theme of our book and Instagram post, adding visual impact to the designs and enhancing the overall content strategy.
Conclusion
Microsoft Designer’s integration with DALL-E 2 offers businesses and users a powerful tool for generating custom images using artificial intelligence. DALL-E 2, developed by OpenAI, provides high-quality and realistic images based on text descriptions, allowing businesses to create visual content for various purposes, such as marketing materials, social media posts, and product images. Microsoft’s collaboration with OpenAI demonstrates its commitment to advancing AI technologies and integrating them into its apps and services.
With Microsoft Designer and the upcoming Image Creator tool in Bing and Edge, users can access powerful image generation capabilities that can save time and effort in content creation while providing commercial ownership of the generated images. As AI continues to evolve, DALL-E 2 and other forms of generative AI offer exciting possibilities for businesses to enhance their marketing campaigns and creative projects.
How can Vantage 365 help you?
Are you wondering how DALL-E 2 could be used to maximise your business’s potential? What about the other recent AI developments, such as ChatGPT?
Vantage 365 is a specialist consultancy that helps businesses of all sizes get the most from their investment in Microsoft 365’s powerful suite of business tools and productivity apps. Our team of expert consultants has years of experience creating customised solutions, applications and strategies to optimise our clients’ technology, capabilities, and performance.
Our mission is to help every client reach their true potential by future-proofing their business and enabling them to thrive in today’s digital landscape. From small businesses to large enterprises, we understand that each company has unique needs and goals, and we work closely with our clients to develop tailored solutions that address their specific challenges.
Whether streamlining workflows, improving collaboration, or enhancing security, we have the expertise to maximise the benefits businesses receive from their investment in Microsoft 365. Our commitment to ongoing support and service ensures that our clients continue to achieve success and stay ahead of the curve in today’s rapidly evolving business environment.
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