Another Text-to-Image AI Player
Flux AI is a relatively new visual AI platform developed by Black Forest Labs. Originally built to improve hardware and electronic workflows, it became interesting to the masses once it launched its open-source text-to-image model. The quality is startlingly good, much like Midjourney, but with a far more user-friendly interface, straight from the browser. Results are fast, detailed and easy to work with. A new strong competitor in the creative AI space.
AI Professional – Fiona Passantino, late August 2024
New Kid on the Block
Flux AI is a more recent creative platform designed to assist hardware and electronic workflows. Its goal is to streamline workflows, improve collaboration and help Humans become more efficient. It’s very much a developer’s tool, which plugs into existing work platforms and requires very little training to get started. It’s versatile, fast and connects with a wide range of working platforms, making it highly useful in the electronics development sector[i].
Flux became interesting to the wider audience when it joined the Image Generation party in July 2024, when it released a small family of open-source text-to-image AI models. The release had everyone’s attention early in its cycle due its performance, low cost and willingness to play fast and loose with AI safety and alignment.
Flux was developed by German startup Black Forest Labs. The team focuses on open-weight deep learning text-to-image and text-to-video models, trying to push boundaries of creativity, efficiency and Human tolerance for free expression. Flux comes in three sizes: “Schnell” (fast), meant for personal, single-player use, “Dev” for non-commercial developers and “Pro” for commercial use, which offers their highest level of performance visual quality, detail and output diversity.
Flux-Midjourney comparison
Midjourney is still generally considered the top text-to-image generator. But it’s a closed system, accessible only through messaging service Discord (not exactly user-friendly for the creator over 40) and works with a paid subscription. Flux is an open-source model available via the browser with a simple sign up, available for download so it can be run locally or on platforms such as Freepik, NightCafe and Hugging Face[ii].
After a few generation rounds with the model, there are some obvious upsides. The results are nicely detailed, offer a variety of styles and results come quickly, around 20 seconds. The interface is easy to use, straight from browser. There appears to be no watermark, and no fixed aspect ratio.
The number of new models coming online is staggering. Flux AI can be tried on fluximageai.com, and will enjoy everyone’s attention for a little while, until the next one grabs our attention.
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About Fiona Passantino
Fiona is an AI Integration Specialist, coming at it from the Human approach; via Culture, Engagement and Communications. She is a frequent speaker, workshop facilitator and trainer.
Fiona helps leaders and teams engage, inspire and connect; empowered through our new technologies, to bring our best selves to work. She is a speaker, facilitator, trainer, executive coach, podcaster blogger, YouTuber and the author of the Comic Books for Executives series. Her next book, “AI-Powered”, is due for release soon.
[i] B2B Technology Zone (2024) “What is Flux AI? The Future of Electronic Design Innovation” B2B Technology Zone. Accessed August 21, 2024. https://b2btechnologyzone.com/fluxai.php
[ii] Morrison (2024) “Flux vs Midjourney: which AI image generator wins?” Tom’s Guide. Accessed August 21, 2024. https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/ai-image-video/i-tested-flux-vs-midjourney-to-see-which-ai-image-generator-is-best-heres-the-winner