DALL-E is a groundbreaking AI tool that is now open for the general public to use. Made by OpenAI, DALL-E uses artificial general intelligence to create things in stunningly human ways. And in almost no time at all. New users can sign up at the OpenAI website for free.

Creations

Most notably, DALL-E can create a photo or piece of art based on a typed description. Your imagination is the limit, you can ask it for a “bengal cat eating a banana” or “the grand canyon with a rainbow overhead”, and see what AI can create within seconds.

These people do not exist, they were made up by DALL-E

DALL-E also offers a “playground” where it can write something for you. You may type in any kind of writing prompt or topic, and in seconds, the AGI will churn out a very fluent chunk of English text.

In seconds, DALL-E composed a short speech that would take a human half an hour or more.

Caveats

If you experiment with DALL-E, you may notice some creepiness with the images it devises. Keep in mind that this is a work in progress, and also that the AGI is programmed to avoid making human faces that resemble real people. It won’t create anything that looks like you or the President or your favorite celebrity.

OpenAI does restrict this tool from creating objectionable content. Check out their content policy if you have any questions or concerns.

Even if you don’t aim to use this tool, it does have ramifications for our future. While OpenAI is closely supervising and limiting how their tech is used, I do worry about its misuse. I can see how DALL-E and similar tools might contribute to the Era of Deepfakes, if not properly policed. And the writing tool could be abused, but I don’t know what to call it yet. Whatever the term, it’s adjacent to plagiarism.

As you peruse the internet, stay dubious, my friends.