Stable diffusion VS Midjourney: All you need to know

CoolTechZone
18 Nov 202308:18

TLDRThis video compares two leading AI image generators: Stable Diffusion and Midjourney. Stable Diffusion is open-source, highly customizable, and free, but requires technical knowledge to use effectively. In contrast, Midjourney is user-friendly and produces higher-quality images but comes with a subscription cost. The video also discusses the differences in training methods, the communities behind each tool, and the legal aspects of using AI-generated art. It concludes by weighing the strengths and weaknesses of both tools, inviting viewers to share their preferences.

Takeaways

  • 🌐 Stable Diffusion is an open-source text-to-image generator available for free, supporting customization with thousands of models.
  • 🔒 Midjourney is a non-open source AI image generator requiring a costly subscription for usage.
  • 🛠 Stable Diffusion can be difficult for inexperienced users and requires learning to operate effectively.
  • 🎨 Midjourney offers high-quality results and is beginner-friendly, accessible with just a Discord account.
  • 🌐 Stable Diffusion can be run locally or through a cloud server, whereas Midjourney requires an internet connection.
  • 🔄 Stable Diffusion learns to generate images by progressively adding and then reversing noise.
  • 📚 Midjourney likely combines Stable Diffusion's approach with a large language model to understand text-image relationships.
  • 🤖 Both tools train on extensive datasets, with Stable Diffusion using fine-tuned models for specific styles.
  • 🚫 Midjourney has a strict ban on explicit imagery, unlike the open-source Stable Diffusion.
  • 📝 As of August 2023, AI-generated art without human input cannot be copyrighted in the US due to lack of human authorship.
  • 📈 The choice between Stable Diffusion and Midjourney depends on the user's need for customization, technical ability, and budget.

Q & A

  • What is the main difference between Stable Diffusion AI and Midjourney AI image generators?

    -Stable Diffusion AI is an open-source text-to-image generator that is freely available and highly customizable with a dedicated community, but it can be difficult for inexperienced users to run. Midjourney AI, on the other hand, is not open source, requires a paid subscription, and is less customizable but offers high-quality results and is beginner-friendly.

  • How does the Stable Diffusion AI model learn to generate images?

    -Stable Diffusion AI learns to generate images by adding layers of noise to an original image until it's almost completely destroyed, then the AI attempts to reverse the process and recreate the original image from just a few scraps of data.

  • What is the significance of fine-tuned models in the Stable Diffusion community?

    -Fine-tuned models in the Stable Diffusion community are trained on a narrower data set and can produce the chosen style quite closely. For example, a model trained exclusively on anime-style pictures will have no trouble generating images in that style.

  • How does Midjourney AI's training process differ from Stable Diffusion AI?

    -Midjourney AI is believed to combine the Stable Diffusion approach with a large language model (LLM), which is trained on a massive dataset of text and images to learn the relationship between text and images, allowing it to generate text descriptions of images and fine-tune the output based on text prompts.

  • What is the source of the images used for training the AI models discussed in the script?

    -Most of the images come from LAION-5B, a dataset with over 6 billion images, photographs, and 3D model renders, each with a text description. However, creators were not credited during the AI training process.

  • What legal issues have arisen from the use of AI art generators like Midjourney and Stable Diffusion?

    -Midjourney faced a class action copyright infringement lawsuit this year due to its use of images from LAION-5B. Stable Diffusion, being free, is not under the same scrutiny, but users can be held responsible for commercial use of images created with it, depending on local copyright laws.

  • Can AI-generated art be copyrighted in the US as of August 2023?

    -As of August 2023, AI-generated art cannot be copyrighted in the US because the copyright laws only protect works created by human beings. However, if a human artist uses AI to generate images and then modifies or arranges those images creatively, the resulting work may be subject to copyright as an original work of art by a human artist.

  • What are the advantages of using Stable Diffusion compared to Midjourney?

    -Stable Diffusion is free and flexible, offering a wide range of customization options through community-built fine-tuned models. It also does not have restrictions on the type of imagery that can be generated, unlike Midjourney.

  • What makes Midjourney AI more user-friendly than Stable Diffusion AI?

    -Midjourney AI is more user-friendly because it only requires a Discord account to use and has a single, constantly updated model that produces high-quality images closely matching the text prompts without the need for extensive customization or negative prompts.

  • How does the community contribute to the capabilities of Stable Diffusion AI?

    -The community contributes by building and sharing thousands of fine-tuned models tailored to specific styles, expanding the possibilities of what can be achieved with Stable Diffusion AI daily.

  • What is the potential downside of using fine-tuned models trained on images from a specific artist?

    -Using fine-tuned models trained on images from a specific artist can replicate their work with a certain accuracy, which raises legal and ethical issues regarding copyright and originality.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 AI Art Generation: Free vs. Paid Services

The paragraph discusses the current state of AI art generation, focusing on the comparison between Stable Diffusion and Midjourney. Stable Diffusion is an open-source text-to-image generator available for free, offering a high level of customization and a supportive community. However, it can be challenging for inexperienced users. Midjourney, on the contrary, is a paid service with a subscription cost comparable to Netflix's standard plan, offering high-quality results but with less customization. The paragraph also touches on the technical aspects of using these services and the legal considerations surrounding AI-generated art.

05:03

🤖 Training and Customization of AI Art Generators

This paragraph delves into the training methods of AI art generators, highlighting the differences between Stable Diffusion and Midjourney. Stable Diffusion uses a straightforward approach by learning to generate images through a process of adding and then reducing noise. It is based on a large dataset and has community-created fine-tuned models for specific styles. Midjourney is speculated to combine Stable Diffusion's method with a large language model, allowing it to understand the relationship between text and images. The paragraph also addresses the issue of copyright with AI art, noting that as of August 2023, AI-generated art without human input cannot be copyrighted in the US. It concludes with a comparison of the two models, noting that Stable Diffusion requires more technical knowledge but offers more flexibility, while Midjourney is easier to use and provides better average results.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI art

AI art refers to artworks created with the assistance of artificial intelligence. This encompasses a wide range of creative processes, from generating images to composing music. In the context of the video, AI art is the main theme, as it discusses AI image generation tools. The script mentions the debate over whether high-level AI image generation is accessible for free or restricted to paid services, highlighting the growing interest and controversy in this field.

💡Stable Diffusion

Stable Diffusion is an open-source text-to-image generator mentioned in the video. It is freely available and supports customization through various models tailored to specific styles. The script emphasizes its flexibility and the active community that contributes to its development. However, it also points out that it can be challenging for inexperienced users and requires a learning curve to master.

💡Midjourney

Midjourney is a proprietary AI image generator that requires a subscription for use. Unlike Stable Diffusion, it is not open source and is described as being more beginner-friendly with a simpler interface, requiring only a Discord account to get started. The video contrasts Midjourney with Stable Diffusion, noting that while it may be less customizable, it produces high-quality results and is easier to use for the average person.

💡Customization

Customization in the context of the video refers to the ability to tailor AI models to generate specific styles of images. Stable Diffusion is praised for its extensive customization options, allowing users to choose from thousands of models. This feature is a key differentiator between Stable Diffusion and Midjourney, with the latter offering less customization but more polished results.

💡Open-source

Open-source denotes software or tools whose source code is made available to the public, allowing anyone to view, modify, and distribute the software. The video highlights that Stable Diffusion is open-source, which contributes to its flexibility and the community's ability to expand its capabilities. This is contrasted with Midjourney's closed-source nature, which limits access to its underlying technology.

💡Fine-tuned models

Fine-tuned models are AI models that have been trained on a more specific or narrower dataset to perform better in generating a particular style or type of image. The script explains that while the original Stable Diffusion model is based on a broad dataset, the fine-tuned models are more popular because they can closely replicate a chosen style, such as anime.

💡Language Model (LLM)

A Language Model (LLM) is an AI model trained to understand and generate human-like text based on large datasets of text. The video suggests that Midjourney likely combines a Stable Diffusion approach with a large language model to understand the relationship between text and images, enabling it to generate high-quality images from text prompts.

💡LAION-5B

LAION-5B is a dataset mentioned in the video, consisting of over 6 billion images with text descriptions. It is significant because it is one of the sources used to train AI models like Midjourney. The script raises ethical and legal issues regarding the use of such datasets without crediting the original creators, leading to copyright infringement lawsuits.

💡Copyright infringement

Copyright infringement refers to the unauthorized use of copyrighted material. The video discusses the legal challenges faced by AI art generators, particularly Midjourney, due to the use of copyrighted images in their training datasets. It contrasts this with Stable Diffusion's stance that any image created with its tool can be used commercially, though users may still be subject to local copyright laws.

💡Commercial use

Commercial use pertains to the application of a product or service for monetary gain or profit. The script notes that Stable Diffusion claims images generated with its tool can be used commercially, which raises questions about the legality and ethics of using AI-generated art for profit, especially when the original training data may involve copyrighted material.

💡Negative prompt

A negative prompt is a directive given to an AI to avoid including certain elements in the generated image. The video points out that with Stable Diffusion, using a negative prompt is almost mandatory to prevent the creation of undesirable or inappropriate images. This is in contrast to Midjourney, which does not require such prompts due to its more refined training and output quality.

💡Explicit imagery

Explicit imagery refers to content that is not suitable for all audiences, often due to its adult or offensive nature. The video mentions that Midjourney has a strict ban on generating explicit imagery, whereas the open-source Stable Diffusion does not have such restrictions and even has models designed to create not safe for work (NSFW) content.

💡Copyright

Copyright is a legal right that grants the creator of an original work exclusive rights to its use and distribution. The video discusses the complexities of copyright in relation to AI-generated art, noting that as of August 2023, AI-generated art without human input cannot be copyrighted in the US. However, if a human artist uses AI to generate images and then modifies or arranges them creatively, the resulting work may be eligible for copyright protection.

Highlights

AI art is a hot topic in AI discussions, raising questions about the availability of high-level AI image generation services.

Stable Diffusion AI is an open-source text-to-image generator available for free, offering customization and community support.

Midjourney AI requires a paid subscription and is not open source, providing high-quality results with less customization.

Stable Diffusion is more challenging for inexperienced users and requires learning to master.

Midjourney is beginner-friendly and can be used with just a Discord account.

Stable Diffusion can run locally or on a cloud server, while Midjourney requires an internet connection.

Stable Diffusion's training involves adding noise to images to teach AI to recreate them from data scraps.

Midjourney likely combines Stable Diffusion's approach with a large language model for text-image relationships.

Most training images for AI generators come from LAION-5B, a dataset with over 6 billion images without creator credits.

Midjourney faced a copyright infringement lawsuit due to its use of LAION-5B, while Stable Diffusion claims commercial use of its images.

AI-generated art cannot be copyrighted in the US as of August 2023, due to a lack of human authorship.

If a human artist uses AI to generate images and adds creative modifications, the work may be copyrightable.

Stable Diffusion's default model is versatile but not as detailed as Midjourney's.

Midjourney relies on a single, constantly updated model for higher quality images.

Stable Diffusion often requires negative prompts to avoid generating undesirable images.

Midjourney enforces a ban on explicit imagery, unlike the open-source Stable Diffusion.

The open-source nature of Stable Diffusion fosters a more potent environment for technological growth.

The choice between Stable Diffusion and Midjourney depends on user preference for flexibility versus ease of use and quality.

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