Freepik's Open AI Image Generator: Licensed Data for Safe Use

Freepik Launches Open AI Image Model Trained on Licensed Content

Freepik, a prominent online platform for graphic design resources, recently announced the release of a new “open” AI image model. This model was specifically trained utilizing exclusively commercially licensed images deemed “safe for work.”

Introducing F Lite

The newly developed model, designated as F Lite, comprises approximately 10 billion parameters. These parameters represent the internal building blocks that constitute the model’s functionality.

F Lite was created through a collaborative effort with the AI startup, Fal.ai. The training process involved the utilization of 64 Nvidia H100 GPUs and spanned a period of two months, as detailed by Freepik.

A Growing Trend in Licensed AI Models

The introduction of F Lite adds to a limited, yet expanding, number of generative AI models that are trained on datasets of licensed material.

Generative AI is currently facing legal challenges, including copyright lawsuits filed against companies like OpenAI and Midjourney. A common practice in the development of these models involves leveraging vast amounts of content sourced from public web resources, often including copyrighted material.

Many companies defend this practice by citing fair use principles, arguing that the use of copyrighted data for training purposes does not necessitate compensation to the rights holders. However, this stance is contested by numerous creators and intellectual property owners.

F Lite: Standard and Texture Variations

Freepik offers F Lite in two distinct versions: standard and texture. Both versions were trained on an internal dataset containing approximately 80 million images.

The standard version is designed to be more predictable and closely adhere to the provided prompts. Conversely, the texture version, while potentially more prone to errors, excels in delivering enhanced textures and more imaginative compositions.

Consider this image, generated by the standard model using the prompt “A person standing in front of a sunset, in majestic surroundings.”

Open Access and Developer Customization

Freepik does not assert that F Lite surpasses the image quality of leading generators such as Midjourney’s V7 or Black Forest Labs’ Flux family. The primary objective was to provide an openly accessible model that developers can adapt and refine.

However, utilizing F Lite requires substantial computational resources. A GPU with a minimum of 24GB of VRAM is necessary for operation.

Expanding Market for Licensed Data Models

Several other companies are also developing media-generating models based on licensed data, including Adobe, Bria, Getty Images, Moonvalley, and Shutterstock. The potential for market growth is significant, contingent upon the outcomes of ongoing AI copyright litigation.

The future of generative AI may well depend on how these legal battles are resolved.