OpenAI is testing a watermarking feature in GPT-4o

ChatGPT developer OpenAI is experimenting with a new feature that adds a watermark to images created with the company’s image generator in GPT-4o.

The new feature, which is currently being tested, was spotted by AI researcher Tibor Blaho. In a post on X he told his followers that a new feature called “ImageGen’” is in the works.

When digging into OpenAI’s ChatGPT Android app code, Blaho noticed the mention of “image-gen-watermark-for-free.” This most likely means that the watermarking feature will only be available to users without a subscription plan.

People who subscribe to a ChatGPT Plus account can probably save their images without a watermark. It is hard to tell at the moment whether and when OpenAI will truly introduce a watermarking feature.

However, that’s not the only new feature Blaho found. He also discovered some new tools OpenAI is currently experimenting with. According to the ChatGPT Android app code, they are called “Structured Thoughts,” “Reasoning Recap,” “CoT Search Tool,” and “l1239dk1.”

Unfortunately, there are no details of what these features may entail.

In addition, the AI researcher found that OpenAI’s Student Plus referral program is now also available to Australian and Colombian students. Last week, Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, announced that ChatGPT Plus is available for free for college students in the United States and Canada through May.

Lastly, Blaho noticed that OpenAI had changed its service terms on April 4th.

“By choosing to share an image or video publicly on the Services, such as by sharing it to the Sora explore page, you give OpenAI the right to reproduce, distribute, modify, display, and perform it for the purpose of operating and promoting the Services,” it now says.

The watermarking and other new features follow OpenAI’s introduction of its native Image Generator in GPT-4o, which is now available to all users.