Midjourney, a pioneering AI image-generating service, has launched its latest AI image model, V7, marking its first major update in nearly a year. The new model promises enhanced personalization and improved image quality, as the company seeks to maintain its edge in the rapidly evolving AI-generated image landscape.

V7, which began rolling out in alpha last Friday, follows closely on the heels of OpenAI's debut of a new image generator in ChatGPT, which quickly gained popularity for its ability to create Ghibli-style photos. While Midjourney's V7 is not specifically designed for Ghibli-style images, it is capable of producing aesthetically pleasing results, according to early tests.

To utilize V7, users must first create a Midjourney "personalization" profile by rating around 200 images. This profile allows the model to tailor its output to individual visual preferences, a feature that is switched on by default for the first time with V7. Once the profile is established, users can access V7 through Midjourney's website or Discord chatbot.

Midjourney CEO David Holz described V7 as a "totally different architecture" in a post on X, highlighting its improved performance with text prompts and enhanced image quality. The model is available in two flavors, Turbo and Relax, with the former being more costly to run. Additionally, V7 powers a new tool called Draft Mode, which renders images at 10x the speed and half the cost of the standard mode, albeit with lower quality.

While V7 is an impressive update, some Midjourney capabilities are not yet available, including image upscaling and retexturing. According to Holz, these features will be added in the near future, potentially within the next two months. The company is encouraging users to test V7 and provide feedback on its strengths and weaknesses, which will help refine the model.

Midjourney's unique approach to AI image generation has garnered attention, particularly its decision to forgo outside funding. Founded in 2022 by David Holz, who co-founded PC peripheral company Leap Motion, Midjourney reportedly expects to generate $200 million in revenue this year. The company is also expanding its scope, establishing a hardware team to work on undisclosed projects and training models for video and 3D object generation.

However, Midjourney is not without controversy. The company faces several lawsuits accusing it of infringing on the rights of millions of artists by training AI tools on images scraped from the web without the consent of the images' creators. As the AI-generated image space continues to grow, the issue of intellectual property and artist rights is likely to remain a pressing concern.

Despite these challenges, Midjourney's V7 update demonstrates the company's commitment to innovation and improvement. As the AI image generation landscape continues to evolve, Midjourney's focus on personalization and quality may help it maintain its position as a leader in the field.