Shutterstock Debuts AI Image Editor to Stay Relevant in Face of Generative AI

Shutterstock Debuts AI Image Editor to Battle Generative AI
May 21, 2024

The rise of AI art generators has prompted swift adaptation from stock photo giant Shutterstock. For years, Shutterstock dominated the world of stock imagery. But with the growing popularity of AI tools like DALL-E 2 and Midjourney, the company recognized it needed to evolve to stay relevant in this rapidly changing landscape.

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Image: Shutterstock

Rather than resisting the AI art revolution, Shutterstock has embraced it. The company recently introduced new features like Magic Brush and Background Remover which allow users to customize and edit stock photos using AI algorithms. While not as advanced as creating entirely new images from scratch, integrating these AI capabilities demonstrates Shutterstock’s willingness to adapt and leverage new technology.

Some analysts question whether these new editing tools will be sufficient for Shutterstock to maintain its leadership position, as AI-generated art garners more and more interest. But Shutterstock’s progressive outlook and openness to change is admirable. Rather than stubbornly clinging to the status quo, this established industry giant has shown flexibility and an ability to modify their approach in the face of disruption.

In fact, Shutterstock has unveiled even more ambitious AI initiatives that reveal their commitment to evolution. The company rolled out an AI image editor that offers expansive creative possibilities by augmenting Shutterstock’s massive library of 750 million stock photos. Tools like Magic Brush let users build on existing images by introducing new visual elements guided by prompts. Meanwhile, Background Remover seamlessly eliminates or replaces backgrounds using automated segmentation.

Shutterstock also prioritizes ethical considerations with its AI integration. The company aims to fairly compensate original artists when their work is modified using these tools. The AI editor has critical limitations too – it cannot generate wholly new content, only transform existing Shutterstock images. This prevents direct competition with emerging generative AI platforms. However, some critique these safeguards as insufficient to protect artists’ interests.

The shift towards AI editing features marks a major transitional moment for the iconic stock photography firm. As generative models like DALL-E 2 emerge, the relevance of traditional stock image sites has come into question. By adopting AI tools, Shutterstock seeks to retain its user base through enhanced creative possibilities. But the current tools’ constraints hint this may be just a stopgap strategy until generative AI further matures. With technology evolving swiftly, continued agility and adaptability will be imperative for Shutterstock to remain viable.

Shutterstock’s AI initiatives reveal an established company adapting to meet the disruption of generative AI head-on rather than succumbing to irrelevance. While ethical concerns remain, their efforts highlight a willingness to transform rather than clinging to outdated practices. As generative AI progresses at a relentless pace, Shutterstock will need to keep pushing boundaries to thrive in this climate of change. Their ongoing AI journey serves as a case study for how even the most entrenched firms can evolve and survive if they embrace innovation.

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