The Most INSANE AI Image Upscaler, EVER!

PiXimperfect
19 Dec 202313:41

TLDRThe video explores the capabilities and limitations of AI in enhancing images, demonstrating the process of upscaling low-resolution images using AI technology. It compares AI-generated images with real photos, highlighting the level of detail AI can add, such as skin texture, eyelashes, and clothing. The video also discusses the impact of the creativity slider on the AI's output, showing how it can drastically alter details and even create new elements that weren't in the original image. The narrator critiques the high cost of the AI platform and shares their experiences with using Photoshop to further refine the AI-enhanced images.

Takeaways

  • 🤖 The video discusses the use of generative AI in image processing, highlighting its ability to create detailed images but also the need for striking a balance to avoid excessive alterations.
  • 🖼️ AI-generated images often lack detail in areas like skin texture and hair, which can be improved through further processing with the AI.
  • 🔍 The video presents a challenge to viewers to distinguish between AI-generated and real images, emphasizing the increasing realism of AI creations.
  • 🎨 The platform 'magnific' is introduced as a tool for upscaling images, with various optimization options and engines to refine the output.
  • 💡 The upscaling process can be guided by prompts, and different engines like 'Automatic' and 'Sharpie' can be chosen for various results.
  • 🌟 The impact of the 'creativity slider' on the AI's output is discussed, showing how it can dramatically alter details and even the identity of the subject in an image.
  • 🖌️ Photoshop is used to correct and refine the AI-upscaled images, demonstrating the potential for combining AI technology with traditional editing techniques.
  • 💸 The video mentions the high cost of using AI upscaling services, noting the limitations in credits and the need for careful management of resources.
  • 📸 Upscaling can be applied multiple times for increased detail, but this consumes credits more rapidly and may lead to excessive changes.
  • 🌐 The video explores the implications of AI upscaling on photography, questioning the authenticity and ethics of altering images too much.
  • 🎥 The content creator's personal discomfort with the AI's alterations to their own face is shared, inviting viewers to consider their own feelings about AI-generated images.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is the exploration of AI-generated images and the process of upscaling low-resolution images using AI technology.

  • What issue does the speaker highlight with generative AI?

    -The speaker highlights that generative AI can sometimes produce images with too much detail, making them look unnatural, especially in areas like skin texture and hair.

  • How does the speaker demonstrate the difference between AI-generated and real images?

    -The speaker provides a comparison challenge where the audience is asked to identify which image between two is AI-generated and which is a real photo, pointing out the differences in details and softness.

  • What platform is mentioned for upscaling images?

    -The platform mentioned for upscaling images is Magnific, which allows users to upscale images and choose different optimizations based on the type of content.

  • What is the role of the AI in the music selection process for videos?

    -The AI in the music selection process, provided by Epidemic Sound, automatically suggests music based on the video clip uploaded by the user. It also allows users to filter by genre, sub-genre, pace, and mood.

  • How does the speaker address the issue of excessive details added by AI to faces?

    -The speaker uses Photoshop to manually retouch the AI-upscaled images, reducing the excessive details and making the images look more natural and realistic.

  • What is the impact of the creativity slider on the upscaling process?

    -The creativity slider in the upscaling process determines the level of detail and refinement added to the image. Higher settings can result in more significant changes and even 'hallucination' of details not present in the original image.

  • What is the speaker's opinion on the pricing of the upscaling platform?

    -The speaker finds the pricing of the upscaling platform to be very expensive, especially considering the limited number of credits provided in the subscription plans.

  • How does the AI upscaling technology affect real photos?

    -The AI upscaling technology can significantly change the appearance of real photos, sometimes to the point of altering the identity of the person in the image, which raises questions about the authenticity of the resulting photography.

  • What other application of AI is briefly mentioned in the video?

    -The video briefly mentions the use of AI for face swapping, suggesting that there are free AI tools available for a limited number of uses that can perform face swaps to some extent.

  • What is the speaker's final verdict on the AI upscaling technology?

    -The speaker acknowledges the impressive capabilities of the AI upscaling technology but expresses concerns about its current limitations, particularly the high cost and the tendency to alter the original appearance of images too much.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 AI and Image Upscaling

This paragraph discusses the use of generative AI to upscale images, emphasizing the need for balance. It describes the process of using an AI generator to add intricate details to an image, such as skin texture, hair, and clothing. The speaker also introduces a platform called Magnific, which allows users to upload and upscale images, choosing from different optimization options like portraits or video game assets. The paragraph highlights the capabilities of AI in enhancing images, but also notes the challenges in achieving a natural look, especially with faces, and the high cost of using such platforms.

05:01

🖼️ Real vs. AI-Generated Images

The speaker explores the differences between real and AI-generated images, focusing on the details and realism. They mention an AI platform that can change the person's appearance significantly and discuss the impact of the creativity slider on the upscaling process. The paragraph also touches on the ability of AI to add details to hair, clothes, and objects, and how it can sometimes overdo it, leading to unrealistic results. The speaker uses Photoshop to correct some of the AI's over-enhancements, demonstrating how AI and manual retouching can work together.

10:02

🌄 AI Upscaling in Various Scenarios

This paragraph examines the AI upscaling technology's performance on different types of images, including landscapes and faces. The speaker notes that while AI can create new details in landscapes, it significantly alters faces, raising questions about the technology's accuracy for portrait photography. They also discuss the potential of AI upscaling for improving images from videos and mention a free AI tool for face swapping. The paragraph concludes with the speaker's hope for future improvements in AI upscaling and their concerns about the pricing model of the current technology.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Generative AI

Generative AI refers to the type of artificial intelligence that is capable of creating new content, such as images, music, or text. In the context of this video, it is used to illustrate the process of AI generating images with extreme detail, often surpassing what is naturally present. The video discusses the balance needed when using generative AI to avoid over-processing and altering the original subject too much.

💡Image Upscaling

Image upscaling is the process of increasing the resolution of an image, typically to enhance its quality and detail. In the video, the narrator discusses using a platform called 'magnific' to upscale images, aiming to improve their quality and detail. However, the process can sometimes result in a loss of natural appearance or introduce artifacts that were not present in the original image.

💡AI-generated vs Real Images

This concept refers to the distinction between images that are created entirely by AI and those that are captured by a camera or other recording device. The video challenges viewers to discern between AI-generated images and real photographs, highlighting the increasing difficulty in telling them apart due to advancements in AI technology.

💡Texture

Texture in the context of the video refers to the surface detail of an image, such as skin, hair, or clothing. The AI upscaling process is shown to add or enhance textures, making the images appear more realistic. However, the process can sometimes overdo it, leading to an artificial or exaggerated look.

💡Photoshop

Photoshop is a widely used software for image editing and manipulation. In the video, the narrator uses Photoshop to further refine and correct the AI-upscaled images, such as adjusting skin texture and reducing unnecessary details added by the AI. This highlights the complementary role of human editing in achieving a more natural look.

💡Creativity Slider

The creativity slider is a control within the AI upscaling platform that determines the extent to which the AI adds or alters details in the image. A higher setting allows the AI more freedom to 'hallucinate' and add details that may not have existed in the original, while a lower setting results in a more conservative upscaling with fewer changes.

💡Epic Sound

Epic Sound is a music platform mentioned in the video that offers a library of tracks for video creators. Its AI feature suggests music based on the content of the uploaded video clip, allowing users to find suitable tracks more easily. This service is highlighted as a solution for finding music without copyright issues and with customizable options.

💡AI Retouching Plugins

These are specialized software tools that use AI algorithms to automatically perform tasks such as retouching and enhancing images. In the video, the narrator recommends specific plugins for professionals, emphasizing their ability to automatically remove blemishes and apply dodging and burning techniques, which can improve the quality of the images with minimal effort.

💡Face Swapping

Face swapping is a technique that involves replacing the face of a person in one image or video with the face from another. The video briefly mentions a free AI tool that allows users to perform face swaps, suggesting that AI technology can be used for creative and potentially humorous purposes.

💡Pricing and Subscription

This term relates to the cost and access model of the AI upscaling platform discussed in the video. The narrator expresses concern about the high cost of the service, which is based on a monthly subscription with a limited number of credits. These credits are used to upscale images, and once they are depleted, users must either upgrade their plan or sign up with a new account to continue using the service.

Highlights

The discussion revolves around the use of generative AI, specifically in the context of image processing and upscaling.

A balance is needed when using AI to avoid over-processing, which can lead to unrealistic details.

The AI used in the video can generate insane details, such as skin texture, lips, eyelashes, and eyebrows.

There is a challenge in distinguishing between AI-generated images and real photos.

The platform 'magnific' is introduced for upscaling images, though it is noted for being expensive.

Epidemic Sound, an AI music suggestion platform, is highlighted for its unlimited track library and customization options.

The upscaling process can be guided by typing in prompts, such as 'Japanese woman wearing red lipstick'.

Different engines are available for upscaling, including 'Automatic' and 'Sharpie', each with its own strengths.

The impact of the creativity slider on the AI's output is demonstrated, showing how it can dramatically alter details.

Photoshop is used to correct some of the AI's over-processing, such as skin texture and facial features.

The AI can change the subject of an image significantly, which raises questions about its use in photography.

The cost of the upscaling service is criticized for being prohibitively expensive for many users.

An example of upscaling a low-resolution landscape image is provided, showing the AI's ability to create new details.

The video creator's face is used to demonstrate the AI's ability to upscale and alter facial features.

A clip from a previous video is upscaled, showing the AI's potential for improving the quality of existing content.

The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to try the AI upscaling technology for themselves.