Stability AI, the company behind the AI image generator Stable Diffusion, has recently rolled out a paid subscription model tailored for commercial purposes while keeping non-commercial and scientific use free.
Subscription Tiers for Varied User Categories
The subscription model introduced by Stability AI aims to redefine how commercial rights are distributed to customers, emphasizing a balance between profitability and openness. The subscription offers three tiers:
- Free Tier: Accessible for personal and research purposes.
- Affordable Tier: Priced at $20 per month, tailored for creators, developers, and startups meeting specific criteria.
- Corporate Plan: Designed for larger-scale commercial usage.
All tiers grant early access to new AI models, but commercial utilization is limited to the second and third tiers.
Open Source Commitment and Clarity on Commercial Use
Stability AI, known for its dedication to open source initiatives, remains committed to ensuring access to its platforms for everyone. However, concerns arise regarding the definition of commercial use regarding Stability AI products. Uncertainty lingers between creating commercial services based on the AI models or the commercial utilization of images generated by Stable Diffusion. The absence of a defined legal status for AI’s “creativity” complicates this situation.
Stability AI’s CEO highlights that Meta Llama 2’s declared open AI model does not align with all Open Source Initiative requirements, further complicating matters.
Expansion Beyond Image Generation
In addition to Stable Diffusion, Stability AI unveiled the Stable Audio platform in September, reminds NIX Solutions. This platform generates music based on textual descriptions and, like its predecessor, offers both free and paid access. Similar offerings exist from other companies, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus subscription, providing access to a more potent GPT-4 model with reduced response times.