OpenAI Launches ImageGen API to Power AI-Driven Visual Creation
OpenAI has launched ImageGen in its API, letting developers generate customizable images with AI for apps, websites, and creative tools.
image for illustrative purpose
OpenAI released ImageGen, an AI image generation feature in its application programming interface, on Thursday. The launch gives developers a direct way to generate visuals inside websites and apps. Users can adjust generation speed, specify resolution level, choose background settings and designate output file type.
A moderation control lets teams set the threshold for content filters that screen for inappropriate material. OpenAI said it will not include images created through the ImageGen API in future model training rounds.
Several platform providers have begun testing the capability. Canva is converting rough sketches into layout drafts, GoDaddy is exploring logo creation workflows, HubSpot is evaluating automated marketing asset production, Instacart is applying the tool to recipe page visuals and InVideo is integrating image edits into its video editing suite.
The engine powering ImageGen—called gpt-image-1—incorporates safety checks intended to block unsafe or harmful content. OpenAI emphasized that API user data and generated images remain isolated from its training datasets.
Pricing is based on output resolution, with fees ranging from 2 cents for basic images to 19 cents for higher resolutions. Sam Altman, chief executive of OpenAI, announced the rollout in a brief post on X, encouraging developers to “build cool stuff” with the new feature.
ImageGen extends OpenAI’s API offerings beyond text and code generation. Industry observers say the tool could streamline visual content production for design, marketing and e-commerce teams, reducing manual steps and speeding prototype creation.
