“Always AI-free” says iStock – before immediately encouraging you to AI-edit its photos!
iStock promises that every image in its library is made by humans, but then encourages customers to modify those images with AI
Stock image provider iStock claims to be "Always AI-free," but immediately encourages users to use artificial intelligence to edit its photos. Despite its assurances of human-created visuals, iStock's homepage prominently displays the message "always AI free." However, the moment a user purchases a photo, iStock prompts them to customize it using AI.
Selecting the "Remove Background" button often leaves users with partial results, such as a kitchen worktop without a background. Users can utilize a text box at the top of the page to request changes, like transforming a plant to green. Additionally, users can prompt iStock's AI to make other edits, such as changing a bath to bright pink.
The company finds itself caught between two camps, attempting to please AI-skeptics while also offering AI-assisted editing to capitalize on the trend.
Written by urgent.news from Digital Camera World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.