AI image tools now move, literally.
OpenAI introduced Images 2.6 on November 4 across ChatGPT, Codex and its API. The headline feature is GIF creation: users can animate a brand mascot or character, or turn a product shot into a looping animation. OpenAI says people now create 4 billion images per week across ChatGPT, Codex and the API, or more than half a billion a day.
Faster, with two API models
OpenAI says Images 2.6 generates images 50% faster than before. Developers can choose between two API models. GPT-Image-2.6 Flare can generate images in as little as six seconds when quality is set to low, and OpenAI says it improves layout quality for posters, product imagery and other professional visuals. GPT-Image-2.6 Sunburst targets higher-quality output and greater consistency across edits when quality is set to medium or high.
More control for developers
Image markup, already available in ChatGPT, comes to the API so teams can point to exactly where a change should happen. SVG exports make designs ready for websites, apps and print. A new complexity parameter lets developers set how much planning the model does; OpenAI recommends low complexity for quick edits and medium or high for scenes with many elements or constraints.
OpenAI highlighted early customers including OpenArt, whose CEO Coco Mao said GIFs are “the native language of social media,” and Figma Weave, which is adding the model to its workflows. AI work-assistant startup Town used it to explore animated characters.
Availability
Images 2.6 is available globally in ChatGPT and Codex across all subscription tiers on desktop, mobile and web, and both models are available in the API. OpenAI has published a system card covering its safety evaluations and safeguards.
Why it matters
Faster image generation, consistent brand details across edits and native GIF output make AI more practical for everyday marketing production, from social posts to product visuals.
For marketing teams and agencies, it is worth testing these tools on low-risk assets while keeping brand review in place. For martech vendors, expect customers to ask about integrations with the latest image models.
Source: OpenAI, The Verge. Written by the xRapid Media LLP team.
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