OpenAI has announced that its image generation feature, previously exclusive to paying ChatGPT users, is now available to all users. The move comes as the company celebrates a significant milestone, having raised $40 billion in funding led by SoftBank, valuing the company at $300 billion.

The image generation tool, powered by OpenAI's GPT-4o model, has been a huge success since its launch, with CEO Sam Altman revealing that the demand was so high that the company's GPUs were "melting." The feature allows users to generate images based on text prompts, and has already been used to create a wide range of content, from artistic images to fake receipts.

One of the most notable uses of the image generation tool has been to convert pictures into the style of Japanese animation firm Studio Ghibli. While this has led to concerns around copyright and the training data used by OpenAI, the company has emphasized that all generated images contain metadata indicating that they were created by ChatGPT. OpenAI has also stated that it takes action against users who violate its guidelines with generated content.

Despite these concerns, the image generation feature has been a major draw for users, with ChatGPT now boasting 500 million weekly active users and 700 million monthly active users. This rapid growth has likely contributed to the company's ability to secure significant funding, which will likely be used to further develop its AI models and expand its product offerings.

The $40 billion funding round, led by SoftBank, is one of the largest investments in an AI company to date. It underscores the significant potential of AI technology to transform industries and revolutionize the way we live and work. With its new valuation of $300 billion, OpenAI is now one of the most valuable privately-held companies in the world.

As OpenAI continues to push the boundaries of AI research and development, it will be interesting to see how the company's image generation feature evolves and is used by its growing user base. With great power comes great responsibility, and OpenAI will need to continue to address concerns around copyright, data usage, and the potential misuse of its technology.

For now, the company's focus is on continuing to innovate and expand its product offerings. With its new funding and valuation, OpenAI is well-positioned to make a significant impact on the AI landscape in the years to come.