Midjourney to Launch AI-Powered Image Editing Tool with New Features

Midjourney is preparing to launch an upgraded web tool that allows users to edit any uploaded images using its generative AI. According to CEO David Holtz, the tool will be available "early next week" and will introduce new features, including the ability to retexture objects by "repainting" their colors and details based on user captions.

This development comes at a time when AI-assisted image editing is gaining traction. Platforms like Meta are grappling with how to distinguish between AI-edited images and those generated entirely by AI. Meanwhile, Google has introduced AI-powered editing tools that do not mark AI-modified images, raising concerns about transparency.

AI Image Editing and Metadata Standards

Midjourney, unlike some other major AI platforms, has adopted the IPTC’s Digital Source Type property. This standard embeds metadata in AI-generated images to signal their digital origin. However, Midjourney has yet to fully embrace C2PA, a more comprehensive metadata technology that tracks an image's provenance, from the tools and software used to its final form.

In a post on the official Midjourney Discord server, Holtz explained that the new tool will initially be available to a “subset of the current community,” accompanied by additional Risks of AI-Enhanced Image Editinghuman and AI moderation to mitigate potential misuse. Midjourney is also conducting a community poll to determine who will gain early access to these features.

Risks of AI-Enhanced Image Editing

While these advanced AI tools open up new creative possibilities, they also present risks. Without adequate safeguards, AI-powered editing can lead to widespread copyright infringement and accelerate the creation of deceptive deepfakes.

Deepfakes are becoming increasingly common across social media, making it more challenging to separate fact from fiction. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, for example, fake AI-generated images depicting destruction and human suffering spread rapidly online. According to Clarity, a deepfake detection firm, there has been a 900% increase in deepfake creation this year compared to the previous year. Public concern is also growing—85% of Americans expressed worry over misleading deepfakes in a recent YouGov poll.

Legal and Ethical Challenges

Although there is no federal law criminalizing deepfakes in the U.S., over 10 states have enacted legislation addressing AI-assisted impersonation. California's proposed law, which is currently stalled, could become the first to empower judges to demand the removal of deepfakes or impose financial penalties on creators.

Despite facing criticism and legal challenges, such as lawsuits regarding its use of copyrighted material for training AI models, Midjourney has made efforts to curtail deepfake misuse. In recent months, the platform introduced filters to block political figures from being depicted in deepfakes ahead of the U.S. presidential election.

Looking Ahead

Midjourney’s upcoming tool represents a significant leap forward in AI-assisted image editing. However, as these technologies evolve, the balance between creative freedom and ethical responsibility will remain a critical issue for platforms like Midjourney.