OpenAI Delays Rollout of ChatGPT’s AI Image Feature for Free Users Due to High Demand

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that the release of ChatGPT’s new AI image generation feature for free-tier users has been postponed. The delay is due to an unexpectedly high demand, surpassing OpenAI’s initial estimates. Altman revealed this update on X, noting that despite high expectations, the usage rate exceeded their predictions.

The feature, part of GPT-4o, enables users to upload and modify images, but as of now, it is only available to subscribers of ChatGPT Pro, Plus, and Teams. This is not the first time OpenAI has faced challenges in rolling out new features. The company has previously cited computing limitations as a reason for slowing down product launches. A similar situation occurred after the launch of Sora in December, when OpenAI had to temporarily disable signups due to capacity constraints.

To address these challenges, OpenAI is investing in large-scale infrastructure, including its proposed $500 billion Stargate data center project. This initiative aims to mitigate future scalability issues and improve the availability of AI-powered tools for a broader audience.