Microsoft tests an AI-based image generator for Windows 11 Paint

Those of you who find it difficult to draw your own works of art in Microsoft Paint will soon be able to turn to AI to automatically generate images.

In a Windows Insider blog post published on Wednesday, Microsoft announced a new AI-powered tool for the Windows 11 Paint application that will create images for you. Called Paint Cocreator and based on the OpenAI DALL-E text-image platform, this feature is currently being routed to Windows Insiders.

Like other image generators based on artificial intelligence, Paint Cocreator creates images based on your descriptions. You can submit anything, from a few general words to a few sentences. But you need to be as descriptive as possible to increase your chances of getting the right image.

A system of credits as virtual currency

You can also select a particular artistic style. When you are ready, the tool creates and displays three different images for you to choose from. Select the one you like and then you can refine it in the Paint canvas if you wish.

To allow you to use Cocreator, however, Microsoft imposes a system of credits as virtual currency, according to its support page for the tool.

By joining Cocreator, you start with 50 credits. Every time you create an image, a credit is used. You can always see how many credits you have left by consulting the lower right area of the Cocreator panel.

Microsoft will use a content filtering system

Microsoft did not explain what would happen if you ran out of credits and needed more. Hopefully this problem will be solved before the tool reaches the version of Windows 11, assuming that this system of credits is maintained.

To ensure that Cocreator is used responsibly, Microsoft will also use a content filtering system. The objective is to prevent the creation of images considered harmful, offensive or inappropriate. The content filter is based on certain standards, such as human dignity, diversity and inclusion, according to Microsoft.

With all the excitement and interest that AI is generating, image generators have taken off with people who need to generate drawings, paintings, works of art and other types of graphics. OpenAI offers its DALL-E image creator, on which other tools are based. The company is currently testing a new version known as DALL-E 3.

Once Cocreator is accessible, you will have to register on a waiting list to use the tool

Microsoft’s Bing Image Creator, powered by DALL-E, works as a standalone tool and is part of its Bing AI chatbot. Other popular tools include Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, DreamStudio and Craiyon.

To try Cocreator at this point, you must be enrolled in the Windows Insider program for Windows 11. You will also need to use the Dev or Canary version of Windows 11. At the moment, the tool is only available in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Canada, Italy and Germany.

Make sure you have downloaded and installed the latest updates for your version of Windows 11. Once Cocreator is accessible, you will have to register on a waiting list to use the tool, as Microsoft is rolling it out slowly at first. To do this, click on the Waiting List button in the Cocreator pane when the tool appears in your version. You will receive an email notification when you are authorized to use it.