Simon Willison’s Weblog: Announcing FLUX1.1 [pro] and the BFL API

Source URL: https://simonwillison.net/2024/Oct/3/flux11-pro/#atom-everything
Source: Simon Willison’s Weblog
Title: Announcing FLUX1.1 [pro] and the BFL API

Feedly Summary: Announcing FLUX1.1 [pro] and the BFL API
FLUX is the image generation model family from Black Forest Labs, a startup founded by members of the team that previously created Stable Diffusion.
Released today, FLUX1.1 [pro] continues the general trend of AI models getting both better and more efficient:

FLUX1.1 [pro] provides six times faster generation than its predecessor FLUX.1 [pro] while also improving image quality, prompt adherence, and diversity.

Black Forest Labs appear to have settled on a potentially workable business model: their smallest, fastest model FLUX.1 [schnell] is Apache 2 licensed. The next step up is FLUX.1 [dev] which is open weights for non-commercial use only. The [pro] models are closed weights, made available exclusively through their API or partnerships with other API providers.
I tried the new 1.1 model out using black-forest-labs/flux-1.1-pro on Replicate just now. Here’s my prompt:

Photograph of a Faberge egg representing the California coast. It should be decorated with ornate pelicans and sea lions and a humpback whale.

The FLUX models have a reputation for being really good at following complex prompts. In this case I wanted the sea lions to appear in the egg design rather than looking at the egg from the beach, but I imagine I could get better results if I continued to iterate on my prompt.
The FLUX models are also better at applying text than any other image models I’ve tried myself.
Via Hacker News
Tags: stable-diffusion, ai, generative-ai, replicate

AI Summary and Description: Yes

Summary: The announcement of FLUX1.1 highlights significant advancements in AI-driven image generation, showcasing a model that is six times faster than its predecessor while enhancing image quality and prompt adherence. Such developments are crucial for professionals in AI and generative AI security, as they underline the growing capabilities and implications of AI technologies in security contexts.

Detailed Description:

The release of FLUX1.1 by Black Forest Labs marks a significant evolution in the capabilities of AI image generation models, particularly those originating from teams with prominent backgrounds like the creators of Stable Diffusion.

Key points include:

– **Performance Improvements**: FLUX1.1 [pro] boasts a remarkable sixfold improvement in generation speed compared to its predecessor. This boosts efficiency, making it more suitable for applications requiring rapid image creation.

– **Image Quality and Prompt Adherence**: Along with speed, the model also focuses on enhancing image quality and the ability to adhere to complex prompts, signaling advancements in AI’s creative capabilities.

– **Business Model**:
– **FLUX.1 [schnell]**: The most basic model, which is Apache 2 licensed, suggesting accessibility for developers and researchers.
– **FLUX.1 [dev]**: An intermediate model with open weights but restricted to non-commercial use.
– **FLUX.1 [pro]**: Closed weights accessible only via API, indicating a shift towards a proprietary model for commercial applications, potentially impacting security measures regarding API access and data management.

– **Prompt Complexity Capability**: Users have noted the model’s proficiency in interpreting complex prompts. The detailed example provided indicates the model’s strength in creative tasks, which can be leveraged in various applications, from visual arts to commercial advertising.

– **Future Implications**: The model’s rapid performance and advanced features could lead to the creation of tools that enhance security protocols, privacy measures, and content moderation in AI outputs.

This development is especially pertinent for security professionals, as advancements like FLUX1.1 necessitate ongoing evaluations of security and compliance frameworks to address the potential misuse of generative AI technologies in creating misleading or harmful content. Integrating these technologies responsibly with robust security measures becomes increasingly critical.