When OpenAI launched the GPT-4o image generation tool last week, it was originally meant to be available for free users too. But the response was so overwhelming that they had to introduce some limits on usage.

Sam Altman even joked about it, saying, “Our GPUs are melting!” while addressing the unexpected demand.

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!

chatgpt free tier will get 3 generations per day soon.

— Sam Altman (@sama) March 27, 2025

The good news? We’ve made it past that phase. In his latest tweet, Sam Altman shared that ChatGPT’s image generation is now available to all users, including those on the free tier. However, it’s still unclear what the exact limits for free users will be.

A Leap in Creativity for Free Users

OpenAI’s image generator has generated significant buzz, especially with its highly anticipated Ghibli-style art feature. Free users now have access to the same powerful tool that was previously restricted to paying users, opening new avenues for creative exploration.

However, it’s still unclear what rate limits free users may face.

ChatGPT’s Rapid Growth

ChatGPT now boasts 500 million weekly active users and 700 million monthly active users, highlighting the growing demand for its tools.

The expansion of the image generation tool to free users marks a significant step in democratizing access to creative technologies.

The Fine Line Between Creativity and Copyright

While the image generation tool unlocks new creative possibilities, it raises questions about copyright and AI training data. OpenAI has not fully disclosed the datasets used to train the tool, and some artists have raised concerns about AI-generated art potentially infringing on intellectual property.

As AI tools evolve, OpenAI and other companies may need to address these ethical concerns and create clearer guidelines around the use of AI-generated content.

Looking Ahead

OpenAI’s decision to offer the image generator to free users signals the growing potential of AI-assisted creativity. While the technology promises new opportunities in digital art and beyond, the challenges surrounding intellectual property rights will need to be addressed as the tool continues to evolve.