Black Forest Labs Launches Flux 1.1 Pro and Comprehensive API for Enhanced Functionality

Black Forest Labs Unveils Flux 1.1 Pro: A Leap in Text-to-Image AI Technology

Black Forest Labs (BFL), founded by the creators of the widely-used Stable Diffusion AI image generation model, has launched a new text-to-image model, Flux 1.1 Pro. This advancement includes a paid application programming interface (API) designed for developers to build third-party applications or enhance existing ones with advanced image generation capabilities.

Businesses can incorporate Flux into their creative tool offerings, provided they are willing to cover the API costs.

Access and Partnerships

Individual users can access Flux 1.1 Pro through partner platforms like together.ai, Replicate, fal.ai, and Freepik. Some services use alternate names, such as "Flux Fast," for the model.

Data Concerns and Legal Context

Details about Flux 1.1 Pro’s training dataset remain undisclosed, a contentious issue in the generative AI field. Stability AI and Midjourney are currently facing lawsuits from artists alleging copyright violations stemming from unauthorized use of their images for training purposes.

BFL's announcement follows the success of the initial Flux model, which powers Elon Musk's Grok 2 chatbot available to subscribers of the social network X.

Model Evolution and Performance

The new Flux 1.1 Pro is a proprietary offering, unlike its predecessor, Flux 1.0, which was open-source and freely accessible. However, Flux 1.1 Pro is available for commercial use. It sets a new benchmark on the Artificial Analysis image arena leaderboard, significantly outperforming similar models.

Flux 1.1 Pro delivers six times faster generation speeds than its predecessor, enhancing image quality, prompt adherence, and diversity without compromising output quality. BFL has also updated Flux 1.0 Pro, doubling its generation speed to improve overall performance.

As of October 1, 2024, Flux 1.1 Pro holds the highest ELO score on Artificial Analysis, scoring 1153 and surpassing competitors like Midjourney 6.1 and Ideogram v2.

High-Resolution Support and Competitive Pricing

Upcoming updates will allow Flux 1.1 Pro to support ultra-high-resolution images (up to 2k). The BFL API, currently in beta, enables developers to integrate sophisticated image generation capabilities into their applications with customizable options at competitive pricing. Image generation prices stand at $0.04 per image for Flux 1.1 Pro and $0.05 for Flux 1.0 Pro.

Funding and Growth Trajectory

Just two months before this launch, BFL secured $31 million in seed funding from notable investors, including Andreessen Horowitz and Brendan Iribe. The company, founded by industry veterans from Stability AI, aims to create accessible and innovative generative AI tools.

Navigating Competition in Generative AI

The introduction of Flux 1.1 Pro comes amid intense competition in the generative AI space, where brands like Midjourney and Stability AI continue to refine their models. With a focus on enhancing accessibility, BFL aims to distinguish itself as a leader in the AI-driven media landscape.

Future Directions for BFL

BFL plans to expand its generative capabilities into text-to-video systems, potentially reshaping industries like advertising and content creation. As competitors pursue similar technologies, BFL remains focused on delivering efficient, high-quality tools for users.

With Flux 1.1 Pro and the BFL API, BFL is poised to redefine the standards of generative AI, seeking to make its offerings the preferred choice for users across various sectors. The company is also expanding its team and invites talented innovators to explore open positions on its website.