A photo generated with the Bing Image Creator using the prompt "a photo of a robot taking a picture with a DSLR camera in a studio".

Bing Image Creator Maria Diaz/

As the use of different artificial intelligence tools has exploded in recent months,we've seen the development of generative AI sprouting in the most unlikely places. It all began with the preview launch of ChatGPT last fall, a conversational AI chatbot from OpenAI that has amazed users with its natural tone, ease of accessibility, and usefulness. 

How to use: Midjourney  Craiyon AI  DALL-E 2  Stable Diffusion

Since then, both Google and Microsoft have released their own AI chatbots with Bard and Bing Chat, respectively, even though the AI craze hasn't been without its security, ethical, and economic concerns. Microsoft also released an AI image creator within Bing, using a more advanced version of DALL-E 2, another one of OpenAI's projects.

Similar to using ChatGPT, the DALL-E 2 image generator is accessed by logging into OpenAI's website, where users can then enter a prompt in a text area and wait while it creates an image using AI. 

There are some key differences between how Bing Image Creator and the original DALL-E 2 work, however, and we'll explore some of those as we go along. 

Also: The best AI art generators to try

First, let's dive into learning how to use the new Bing Image Creator.

How to use the new Bing Image Creator

Image created by Bing Image Creator using the prompt "photo of a lazy zebra in a room with navy walls and gold curtains".

Bing Image Creator Maria Diaz/

What you need: Using the Bing Image Creator only requires a Microsoft account and access to Bing.com, no need for a DALL-E 2 or OpenAI account. The Bing Image Creator can be accessed via Bing Chat or by going to Bing.com/Create. We'll cover the former option below in the FAQ and the latter in detail here.

1. Go to the Bing Image Creator and log in

Unlike Bing Chat, you don't need Microsoft Edge to access the Bing Image Creator. Just go to Bing.com/Create and click onJoin & Create to log in to your Microsoft account to access the image generator. 

On the homepage for the Bing Image Creator, click on Join & Create.

Screenshot: Maria Diaz/

2. Enter your prompt

At this point, enter a description of the image you want to prompt Bing to create for you. Just like when using an AI chatbot, be as descriptive as possible to ensure your result is accurate.

After you enter your prompt in the text area, click onCreate. 

Enter your prompt in the text area.

Screenshot: Maria Diaz/

For this prompt, I'm going to request the following: "photo of a swan laying in a royal living room with gold accents". Then I'm going to click onCreateand wait for my images to be generated.

3. View your results

Once your images are ready, it's time to check the results. DALL-E and Bing's Image Creator will both typically display four generated images for each prompt. 

Also: How to use DALL-E 2 to turn your visions into AI-generated art

They're not always great, as the free AI image generators are often not advanced enough to create truly lifelike images, so you may see some errors in details like a person's fingers or eye positioning, or the keys on a computer keyboard, for example. 

As you can see below, the images that were generated capture exactly what I prompted the Bing Image Creator to make. I'm pretty happy with the results -- the swan images are impressively beautiful.

The Bing Image Creator preview results created with the prompt I entered (highlighted at the top).

Screenshot: Maria Diaz/

4. Download your image(s)

After looking through the generated images, I decided to download the picture below. Just clicking on an image will expand it and give you the options toShare, Saveto your account,Download, or provideFeedback. It's worth noting that you can download one, all, or none of the images. 

This was my favorite photo of the four.

Screenshot: Maria Diaz/

FAQ

Can I create images using the new Bing Chat?

There are two ways to use the Bing Image Creator. You can generate images by going to Bing.com/Create, as detailed above, or you can create images right from Bing Chat. 

I asked Bing Chat to create a photo of a monkey on a Vespa and it didn't disappoint.

Screenshot: Maria Diaz/

Here's how you can ask the new Bing to create an image right from the chat window:

1. OpenMicrosoft Edge
2. Go to Bing.com
3. Click onChat
4. Write your prompt, it can begin with a phrase like "create an image" or "generate a photo", but it's not necessary. Bing Chat typically recognizes your intent.

Also: How to use the new Bing (and how it's different from ChatGPT)

Bing Chat can create images in any conversation style, whether it's set to Creative, Balanced, or Precise. 

One of the pros to using Bing Chat to generate images is that you can ask follow-up questions to have Bing adjust the image, like the example above shows. Bing proposes questions like, "Can you make the monkey wear a hat?" and "Change the color of the Vespa to blue".

How do you write prompts to create images using AI?

The more specific you are in your prompts, the better; think of the prompt as a detailed description of the image you have in mind. Include adjectives, nouns, and verbs to describe the image and what the subject is doing -- even styles are encouraged. If you say, "create a photo of..." you'll get a different result than if you say create a cartoon, a painting, or a 3D render; so the image style is important.

This is the best way to build a successful Bing Image Creator prompt.

Screenshot by Maria Diaz/

Here's how Bing's Image Creator recommends you format your prompts:Adjective + Noun + Verb + Style. 

Also: I've tested a lot of AI tools for work. These are my 5 favorite so far

In this case, that would be "Fuzzy creature wearing sunglasses, digital art." 

You can use different terms to describe the style, as well, like impressionism, cubism, abstract, etc. 

Do I own AI-generated images?

The latest line from the United States Copyright Office (USCO) is that AI-generated images are not protected under current copyright laws because they are not the product of human authorship.

AI image generators have created controversy as they're AI bots trained on images found online, images that have been created by someone else. While the art you created using an image creator tool is unique, it's created with influences of millions of artists on the internet.

Also:The White House seeks your opinion on ChatGPT and AI tools for safety policy

This ruling is subject to change as the USCO holds listening sessions throughout 2023 to explore the subject more deeply and make necessary changes.

Is Bing Image Creator free?

Bing's Image Creator is free at this time, though you can pay for more boosts if you run out. Boosts are like credits, where each prompt you give it to create an image will cost you one of your boosts. Users used to get 25 when they'd first start using the Image Creator, but it has since increased to 100. 

Also: ChatGPT vs. Bing Chat: Which AI chatbot should you use?

Once you run out of boosts, the Bing Image Creator will take longer to generate images after it's given a prompt. Instead of 10-30 seconds, it can take up to five minutes. 

Microsoft was refilling boosts on a weekly basis, but has now switched to doing so daily. Users also have the option of redeeming Microsoft rewards in exchange for more boosts.

Is Bing Image Creator the same as DALL-E 2?

DALL-E 2 and the Bing Image Creator are not the same. Like with GPT-4 in Bing Chat, Microsoft is incorporating a more advanced version of the AI art generator into its image creator. 

DALL-E 2 Bing Maria Diaz/

Though the same prompt won't render the same results twice, you can see the comparison of images created with both DALL-E 2 (left) and Bing Image Creator (right). 

Also: Generative AI can save marketing pros 5 hours per week, according to research

Beyond artistic differences, the Bing images boast better attention to detail and vibrancy than the DALL-E 2 images. 

Is there a waitlist to use the Bing Image Creator?

There is no waitlist to use the Bing Image Creator at this time. All you have to do is log in to the website with your Microsoft account and you'll have access to it. 

More on AI tools

How to use ChatGPT to create an appHow to use Bing Image Creator (and why it's better than DALL-E 2)How to use ChatGPT: Everything you need to knowHow to use ChatGPT to write codeHow to use ChatGPT to write Excel formulasHow to use ChatGPT to build your resume

• How to use ChatGPT to create an app
• How to use Bing Image Creator (and why it's better than DALL-E 2)
• How to use ChatGPT: Everything you need to know
• How to use ChatGPT to write code
• How to use ChatGPT to write Excel formulas
• How to use ChatGPT to build your resume