Midjourney’s New Image Editing Tool: A Step Forward or a Step Too Far?

Midjourney plans to release an upgraded web tool that’s stirring up excitement in the AI community. According to CEO David Holz, this new feature, expected to drop “early next week,” will allow users to edit uploaded images using Midjourney’s generative AI capabilities. Sounds cool, right? In addition, users can retexture objects in images, allowing them to effortlessly change the colors and details by simply adding a caption. The combination of Photoshop and AI technology is like magic, poised to revolutionize how we edit photos online.

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But this isn’t without its controversies. Editing existing images with AI has become a hot-button issue lately. Big tech companies like Meta and Google are navigating a tricky landscape, balancing powerful AI tools with transparency around what’s real and what’s altered. Although creating something from scratch using AI presents challenges, the ethical considerations become even more complex when editing images without clear indicators of alterations.

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Transparency and Metadata: Where Does Midjourney Stand?

Last year, Midjourney made a commitment to transparency by adopting the IPTC’s Digital Source Type property. This technical standard embeds metadata into AI-generated images, signaling they’re not 100% natural creations. This move was a nod towards clarity for anyone concerned about the origins of digital art. But there’s a catch: while this shows Midjourney’s willingness to play by the rules, the company has stopped short of using C2PA, a more comprehensive metadata standard that traces an image’s entire journey—everything from the camera or software used to the AI models involved.

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This choice sets Midjourney apart from other AI platforms that fully embrace C2PA. While it’s not necessarily a dealbreaker, it leaves questions about how thoroughly the company is willing to track and disclose image edits. In this context, transparency is paramount since AI can effortlessly modify images, significantly impacting users. For many individuals, having access to the complete history of an image can make a substantial difference.

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A Controlled Rollout with New Moderation

?In a message posted to Midjourney’s official Discord server, Holz shared that this upgraded editing tool won’t be available to everyone immediately. Instead, it’ll be rolled out to a “subset of the current community” initially. This limited release comes with increased human moderation and even new, more advanced AI moderators. Midjourney is making a conscious effort to maintain control and prevent any potential chaos that may arise from the introduction of this new tool. However, it is evident that they also have some reservations about effectively managing this rollout.

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Holz admitted, “Honestly, we’re not sure how to precisely restrict deployment of this feature.” Midjourney is turning to its community to figure things out, using a poll to decide who will get access first. It’s an exciting approach, leveraging user feedback to help manage the launch. Nonetheless, it emphasizes the struggle of introducing these powerful tools in a way that ensures responsible utilization.

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The Risks of AI Editing Tools: Deepfakes and More

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—deepfakes. They’ve become a serious issue, making it difficult to distinguish between real and fabricated. The introduction of Midjourney's new feature allows users to create incredibly realistic images, which in turn poses a potential risk of misleading or deceiving individuals. This event's timing is highly relevant, considering the current situation. In the past few days, there has been a significant increase in the circulation of fabricated images that show widespread destruction and human suffering following the passage of Hurricane Helene. As a result, individuals find it increasingly difficult to discern between what is real and what is false on social media platforms.

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The number of deepfakes published online has seen a significant increase of 900% this year compared to the previous year, as per data provided by Clarity. This company specializes in detecting deepfakes. The impact of deceptive images online has become a cause for alarm, and it is not surprising that a recent YouGov poll revealed that 85% of Americans are concerned about it. The genuine concern expressed by individuals significantly increases the importance for any company that plans to introduce AI editing tools.

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Legal Gray Areas and Midjourney’s Mixed Record

With no federal law in the U.S. explicitly criminalizing deepfakes, more than ten states have taken matters into their own hands, enacting laws against AI-aided impersonation. California is even considering a law allowing judges to order the removal of deepfakes and impose fines on those who post them. It’s a legal patchwork, meaning companies like Midjourney must navigate a minefield when deploying new features.

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And, to be fair, Midjourney’s track record has been a bit of a mixed bag. They’re currently facing a lawsuit over the alleged use of copyrighted content to train their generative AI models. But in recent months, they’ve tried to show a more responsible side, adding filters to limit the spread of deepfakes, especially those involving political figures ahead of the U.S. presidential election.

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The Future of Image Editing: What to Expect

?So, is this new tool from Midjourney a fundamental change or a Pandora’s box? It’s probably a bit of both. On the one hand, it offers incredible creative potential, letting users transform images in ways that would have taken hours in traditional editing software. On the other hand, it introduces new challenges around transparency, ethical use, and potential misuse.

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For users who get early access, it’ll be an exciting time to experiment and see what’s possible. However, for Midjourney, the real test will be balancing innovation with responsibility. As the company navigates this tricky terrain, all eyes will be on handling the rollout and whether they can keep the genie in the bottle regarding potential abuse.

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Conclusion

The industry is abuzz with anticipation as Midjourney develops a groundbreaking image editing tool that harnesses the power of AI-driven creativity, promising to revolutionize how we edit images. Although it presents a promising prospect for artists and content creators, it is essential to exercise caution and careful oversight to prevent potential misuse. As the debate over AI-generated and AI-edited content continues, Midjourney must prove it can manage the risks while delivering the innovation its users crave. If we get it right, it could reshape how we think about digital art and photo editing. If they don’t, the consequences could be much harder to undo.

Follow-up:

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