In a partnership with OpenAI, Microsoft has announced its plans to launch Microsoft Designer. This new graphic design software aims to provide customers with a user-friendly interface where they can create unique social media graphics, posters, presentations, invitations and other visual content.
The new Microsoft Designer software will integrate the DALL E 2 artificial intelligence system designed to create realistic images and art from descriptions written in natural languages. However, Microsoft has announced that integrated artificial intelligence will be tweaked to prevent it from producing “inappropriate results” such as racist stereotypes and explicit content.
Although Microsoft is generally considered the major player in the content management market, its position has been threatened in recent years by emerging applications constantly going after core Microsoft office packages. Microsoft’s graphics software is an attempt to solidify its place in the market by providing active users with a complete content management package. The Designer software will compete with other AI image generation software such as Adobe and Canva.
According to a Microsoft spokesman, the Designer application is aimed at consumers. However, it will also be relevant in company projects, schools, and government agencies. This design application will be available as a free windows application and a part of its Edge browser. It will also feature a free trial and a premium version for those with Microsoft 365 personal and family subscriptions. However, interested users can now register for a free preview of the application.
Although the current fears of recession and a global trend of rising inflation made one of its investors, Blackbird Ventures, lower the company’s valuation to about $25.6 billion earlier this year. Microsoft is launching this new software, “Designer”, as part of its general office productivity package.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, at a conference with industry analysts In July, said that no company is better placed to help organisations deliver on their digital objectives than Microsoft. He further added that the company is ready to do more and help scale up the growth of new-age companies.
Although there is currently speculation that the introduction of the Microsoft Designer might affect the good relationship that Microsoft has been maintaining with the graphics giant Adobe. A Microsoft spokesman has pointed out that this is simply not true. As the spokesman revealed, Microsoft has more than 30 product integrations with Adobe; thus, the company will remain a critical strategic partner, and the new design application will not change that fact.
Although it looks like the Microsoft Designer software will level the playing field for Microsoft when it comes to AI image generation, there are concerns that Microsoft is too late to the party as Canva and Adobe are expected to announce improvements to their software packages at MAX 2022. However, it is expected that the release of a free preview of the application will help Microsoft collect customer feedback and make relevant improvements before the full product release.