New AI tool lets users generate hi-res images on their own computer

A new tool promises to bring low-cost, high-resolution artificial intelligence (AI) image generation to a wider audience. It can achieve this without powerful computers behind a paywall.

Side by side comparison of two images of santa claus generated by AI. On the right, DemoFusion's image is much more detailed, with individual snowflakes visible.

Up until now, to create a high-quality AI image, users had to subscribe to a service like Midjourney or DALLE-3, or buy their own very powerful computers.

DemoFusion, developed at the Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI, lets users generate a basic image using a freely-available, open source AI model like Stable Diffusion, then enhance it, adding more detail and features, at much higher resolution. The necessary computing power is available on any mid-range gaming PC or a Mac M1.

Side by side comparison of two AI generated images of astronauts playing a guitar in space. The one by DemoFusion on the right is much more detailed

Despite not requiring the use of a supercomputer, the image enhanced using DemoFusion (on the right) is much more detailed.

For the first time, our unique technique lets users enhance their AI-generated images without the need for vast computing power, or any re-training of the model.

Digital art and imagery is a powerful medium which everyone should have access to – not just a handful of wealthy corporations. That’s why we made DemoFusion publicly available. We believe it can enrich our lives, and everyone should be able to use it. Professor Yi-Zhe Song, Co-Director Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI; Programme Lead of MSc in Artificial Intelligence

To achieve high-resolution results using ordinary, open-source AI tools, the team first generated low-resolution images, then enhanced them. This is not an upscaling method – but instead coaxes more detail out of the AI model, by working across the image in patches, improving detail and resolution by at least 16 times.

AI can create stunning imagery for educational material, design and art - to name just a few examples. DemoFusion brings these capabilities to those who might not otherwise be able to afford them. Dr Andrew Rogoyski, Director of Innovation and Partnerships at the Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI