iStock AI image generator gets a major upgrade with Refine, Extend

iStock has announced major new features for its AI image generator, giving users more control and flexibility over their creations. The updates include the ability to refine and extend AI-generated images, along with expanded access to generation history.

iStock first launched its generative AI platform last year, powered by NVIDIA’s Picasso model and trained exclusively on iStock’s proprietary library of licensed visuals. While other AI image makers have raised legal concerns around copyright infringement, iStock’s approach (also practiced by Shutterstock) guarantees all generated images are commercially safe and come with up to $10,000 in indemnification coverage. In addition, contributors get fairly compensated.

The new “Refine” tool allows users to add, replace, or remove specific elements from any AI-generated image by brushing over the area they want to change. After applying a text prompt describing the desired adjustment, the AI will create four new variations of the image reflecting the edit.

The “Extend” feature allows users to expand the canvas of a generated image in any dimension, revealing more of the background scene. This makes it easy to repurpose an AI image for different aspect ratios and use cases like social media posts or print marketing materials.

Additionally, iStock has significantly increased the amount of time users can access their generation history—now up to six months.

The Refine, Extend, and expanded history features are available now to all iStock AI generator users as part of their existing subscription or pay-per-use account. To get started creating unique, commercially safe AI imagery.