AI Images: Are They Worth It?

Artificial Intelligence has made a big splash in the world of technology.  One feature of AI that has become increasingly popular is the use of AI to create images. The question is, however, do these images actually add any value to the visual media we use for our businesses, social media posts, marketing, and more?

I want to focus specifically on the use of stock photos in the media.

According to Adobe, “Stock photos are photographs that are licensed for commercial purposes.” People who need these photos mostly use them for things like graphic design, websites, marketing, book covers, etc. Usually, these images are professional, yet simple enough so that users can edit/alter them to their own liking.

Pros of Stock Images

Per SunCity Advising, a lot of people rely on stock images because:

1. They’re much cheaper.
2. There’s a wide variety to choose from.
3. They don’t require time and resources from the user.

Like the photo below that I took myself. It’s nice, but not sophisticated enough for professional use.

Cons of Stock Images

While stock images have many positives, they have some negatives to think about before you decide to use them:

1. They sometimes lack personality.
2. You might lack individuality as it’s very possible for others to use the same images.
3. Copyright and licensing issues may arise.

 So…Are AI Stock Images Worth It?

AI imagery tools offer a greater level of customization and creativity compared to traditional stock photography. AI gives users the opportunity to create something that doesn’t exist. With AI, you’re able to add as many details as you wish, so you can get a photo that fits your needs as close as possible.

But even then, the quality may not be up to par, as you run the risk of pixilated or unrealistic images. Or, images like the one below with spelling mistakes that I tried multiple times (and ultimately failed) to fix.

With traditional stock photos, there’s a sense of authenticity with images of the real world that cannot be created with AI.

And, even though real stock images may sometimes come with a cost, most of the high quality AI tools require a fee as well. So, there isn’t that much of a price difference.

In my opinion, the “deal breaker” of AI stock images lies in the legal vulnerability. John Wolfe Compton sums it up perfectly:

“For risk-averse industries or when clear copyright and usage rights are paramount, traditional stock images offer a clear framework that might not yet be as established for AI-generated content.”

Conclusion

I think the choice between AI and traditional stock images depends on what type of imagery you need. If you need something that focuses on life and human emotions, you may want to use the traditional way. But, if you’re looking to bring a specific, creative idea to life, AI might be the answer. In reality, there’s no reason you can’t use both in a way that actually complements one another. Especially as AI technology continues to improve.