# Black Forest Lab’s AI Model Can Edit & Generate Images
Black Forest Labs, the AI startup behind the image generation features of X’s Grok chatbot, has unveiled a new AI model capable of both generating and editing images. The latest offering, Flux.1 Kontext, represents a significant leap in AI-powered image manipulation.
## How Flux.1 Kontext Works
The Flux.1 Kontext model allows users to generate images from text prompts while also refining existing images. According to Black Forest Labs, the model delivers:
– Photorealistic rendering with high accuracy
– Strong prompt adherence for precise image generation
– Fast inference speeds (up to 8x faster than competitors)
The model comes in two versions:
1. Flux.1 Kontext [Pro] – Supports multi-step refinement while preserving character and style consistency.
2. Flux.1 Kontext [Max] – Optimized for speed and strict prompt adherence.
## AI Image Generation Race Heats Up
Black Forest Labs enters a competitive landscape where major players like Google (Imagen 4) and OpenAI (Studio Ghibli-style AI art generator) have already made waves. Unlike some of its previous models, Flux.1 Kontext is not available for offline use, but a developer version (Flux.1 Kontext [Dev]) is available for research and safety testing.
## Free Trial & Company Background
The company has launched a model playground, allowing users to test the AI without signing up for third-party services. New users receive 200 credits, enough for approximately 12 image generations with the Pro version.
Founded by ex-Stability AI members, Black Forest Labs has rapidly expanded its AI offerings, including an enterprise API. The company was reportedly in talks for a $100M funding round last year, backed by investors like Andreessen Horowitz and Y Combinator’s Garry Tan.
This latest release reinforces Black Forest Labs’ position as a key innovator in AI-powered image generation and editing.