Apparently, ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot can't create a simple white image, but AI already renders architecture and graphic design jobs obsolete

AI image generation tools can't create a plain white image
(Image credit: Image Creator from Designer | Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • According to a report by a data scientist, most AI-powered image-generation tools can't create plain white images.
  • Midjourney and ChatGPT came close to creating the white image but included unnecessary elements.
  • I tried to get Copilot AI to generate the same image, but it asked me to be more descriptive, referring to my prompt as "too vague." 

I constantly leverage ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot's capabilities for research, image creation, and more. That said, I can confidently say that AI-powered tools are remarkably good at performing tasks, especially when generating detailed images.

Last year, our Channel Editor, Ben Wilson, used DALL-E 3 image generation in Microsoft Copilot (formerly Bing Chat) to generate his Halloween costume. Between his AI-generated Windows Phone or Xbox Series X-themed costume, I can't determine which one's better (both are pretty neat, might I add).

While we've seen people leverage AI image-generation tools to create impressive images and designs, it's daunting and seemingly impossible for most tools to create a plain white image (via BleepingComputer).

Strangely enough, I'd never thought about this till today. My presumption has always been — that if ChatGPT can develop software in under 7 minutes and Copilot AI generates free Windows keys (though with some limitations), then there's very little these tools can't do.

Cody Nash, a data scientist attempted to get DALL-E 3 to generate a plain white image using the following prompts:

  • An image that is nothing but the color white
  • An image of nothing but white white white white
  • Completely white without any additional features
  • A blank white space
  • An image of pure #FFFFFF pixels
  • A white wall

Interestingly, the tool couldn't generate the specific image without adding additional elements. And despite Nash's relentless efforts and use of specific (color-code lingo, the color #FFFFFF0 to represent a white background, the tool failed to deliver on his specific ask. 

While speaking to BleepingComputer, Nash indicated:

"Good artists borrow, great artists steal. With AI, it is robbery. It is a good thing AI is getting creative early on, so when they are given orders to destroy, there's a chance they'll say no. It is not the art I was looking for, but art was found anyway."

Instead, he was furnished with the images highlighted below. Some were pretty close, though not what the doctor ordered.

DALL-E 3 can't create a plain white image despite numerous attempts. (Image credit: Cody Nash)

This also applies to ChatGPT and Midjourney, per BleepingComputer's analysis.

Copilot needs me to be more descriptive about a plain white image

I tried to get Copilot to generate a plain white image, but it told me my be more descriptive as my prompt was too vague. (Image credit: Kevin Okemwa)

For good measure, I also decided to see if I could recreate BleepingComputer and Nash's findings. Strangely, Copilot informed me that I needed to be more descriptive. My "please help me create a plain white image" prompt doesn't seem to cut it. 

As per the image above, the tool provided me with three suggestions: 

  • Add a small watermark in the corner
  • Make it slightly off-white for better visibility
  • Change the image dimensions to 1920 x 1080

Selecting either of the first two options would automatically turn my plain white image request into something else. I decided to go with the last option hoping it would generate the plain white image since it would only change the size of the image.

Still, Copilot said:

"This prompt is too vague to generate appropriate high-quality images, Please try a longer, more descriptive prompt."

In the early days, when Microsoft had just shipped DALL-E 3 to Image Creator from Designer (formerly Bing Image Creator), the image creation process was magnificent. However, the hype and experience were short-lived after Microsoft started filtering the tool, seemingly lobotomizing it.

Interestingly, we're already at a point where AI could potentially render some professions obsolete, including architecture and graphic design jobs, in favor of tools like Image Creator from Designer and DALL-E 3

Even NVIDIA's CEO says the future generation shouldn't consider coding a plausible career option, as AI would have taken over the category. Instead, he recommends biology, education, manufacturing, or farming as better, long-term alternatives.

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Kevin Okemwa
Contributor

Kevin Okemwa is a seasoned tech journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya with lots of experience covering the latest trends and developments in the industry at Windows Central. With a passion for innovation and a keen eye for detail, he has written for leading publications such as OnMSFT, MakeUseOf, and Windows Report, providing insightful analysis and breaking news on everything revolving around the Microsoft ecosystem. You'll also catch him occasionally contributing at iMore about Apple and AI. While AFK and not busy following the ever-emerging trends in tech, you can find him exploring the world or listening to music.

  • fjtorres5591
    What about pure black? Or blue? Or yellow?
    Might it not be caused by a milder form of the BARD/GEMINI/whatever imposed anti-white bias?

    One might say that just as "too many chefs ruins the stew" too many "guardrails" neuters the tool.
    Reply
  • John McIlhinney
    I, for one, am OK with AI not being able to do completely useless things. I mean, is a "simple white image" even an image?
    Reply