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How to Use AI to Generate Images

How to Use AI to Generate Images on Your WordPress Website 

Written By: author avatar Stacey Corrin
author avatar Stacey Corrin
Stacey has been writing about WordPress and digital marketing for over 10 years and on other topics for much longer. Alongside this, she's fascinated with web design, user experience, and SEO.
     Reviewed By: reviewer avatar Turner John
reviewer avatar Turner John
John Turner is the co-founder of SeedProd. He has over 20+ years of business and development experience and his plugins have been downloaded over 25 million times.

Want to know how to use AI to generate images? With today’s AI tools, you can instantly create custom visuals for blog posts, landing pages, and WordPress designs with no stock photos or design skills needed.

In this guide, I’ll show you step-by-step how AI image generation works, the best tools you can use, and how to add AI-generated images directly to your WordPress site.

Table of Contents

How Does AI Generate Images?

AI image generators use machine learning models trained on millions of images. When you type a text prompt, the AI predicts what the image should look like and creates a brand new picture from scratch. This process is called “text-to-image generation.”

The more detailed your prompt, the better the results. For example, instead of typing “dog,” write “a golden retriever puppy sitting in a field of sunflowers with warm evening sunlight.”

Why Use AI to Generate Images in WordPress?

AI tools make it simple to create unique, high-quality images without stock photos or design skills. Just describe what you want, and AI generates it in seconds.

Here’s why AI-generated images are worth using on your WordPress site:

  • Save time: no more hours spent searching stock libraries
  • Unique visuals: stand out with one-of-a-kind images
  • Match your content: create images that fit your blog posts or products perfectly
  • Cut costs: reduce the need for paid stock photos or designers
  • Faster workflow: generate a set of images for each post in minutes

For busy bloggers and business owners, AI images make your content look professional while saving time and money.

What AI Image Generation Tools are Available?

Today, several powerful AI image-generation tools are available. Here’s an overview of the tools available for WordPress websites.

Online AI Image Creation Tools Online

Tools like DALL.E, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion use text descriptions to create images.

These tools are still under development. But they’re already great at generating realistic or fantastical art for your website.

WordPress AI Image Generation plugins

AI WordPress plugins bring the power of DALL.E and similar tools to your WordPress editor.  They allow you to describe an image with text, and the plugin generates unique visuals based on your prompt.

These plugins are a time-saver for bloggers and web designers, helping you create images for content without needing design skills. Some top WordPress AI plugins include AI Engine, Imajinn, and AI Power.

WordPress Page Builder Plugins with AI

AI page builders are website creation tools that include AI for generating images.

This streamlines your workflow by allowing you to create high-quality images directly within the builder rather than using a separate graphic design program. Some popular options include SeedProd, Divi AI, and Elementor AI.

How to Use AI to Generate Images in WordPress

Below, I’ll walk you through how to use AI to generate images from start to finish. I’ll cover using a page builder, a WordPress plugin, and a popular AI image generation tool.

Use SeedProd to Generate AI Images in WordPress

SeedProd Drag and Drop WordPress website builder
Pricing: Starts at $39.50/year
Free Plan / Trial: Free version available
Standout Features:
🔹 Drag-and-drop builder
🔹 AI image assistant inside the editor
🔹 Theme builder + landing pages
Rating: A
Best For: WordPress users who want to design pages and generate images in one place

SeedProd is the best drag-and-drop WordPress website builder. It makes creating custom WordPress themes and page layouts easy without coding.

With SeedProd’s AI assistant, you can easily generate images for your website in a few clicks.

First, install and activate the SeedProd plugin. For help, please see our guide on installing the SeedProd plugin.

Note: You’ll need a premium SeedProd license to use the AI Assistant. You’ll also need to buy AI credits using the link in your account dashboard.

After installation, you can use SeedProd to:

Then, you can use AI to customize your design with original images.

To do this, edit the page to see the drag-and-drop builder. Then, drag an Image block onto the live preview.

A screenshot of SeedProd website builder interface highlighting the 'Image' block option with a red border and an arrow pointing towards it.

After selecting the Image block, look at the content settings panel on the left-hand side. Here, you’ll see a button labeled ‘Add with AI.’

A screenshot showing an 'Image' editing pane in SeedProd website builder with options to 'Choose New Image' using your own image or a stock image. An arrow points to a feature labeled 'Add with AI'. A large placeholder for an image is outlined in red on the right

Click the button to open the image prompt panel. This is where you can describe the image you want for your website. Alternatively, click one of the suggested prompts and use it as a starting point for your own. 

A pop-up window titled "Generate image with AI" prompts to input a prompt for image generation. Below the input field are suggested prompts, such as generating a futuristic cityscape with flying cars, an abstract art piece with vibrant colors and geometric shapes, a beach scene with palm trees and a sunset, a 1980s sci-fi movie scene, and a celestial scene with stars and galaxies. There are buttons for 'Generate Image' and 'Cancel'.

Then, click the Generate Image button.

Typically, it takes a few seconds to generate an image. When it’s complete, you’ll see a preview and can click Insert to add it to your WordPress page.

A window for 'Generate image with AI' displays a filled-in prompt for a top-down photograph of a plate with salmon, rice, and vegetables. Below is a preview of the generated image showing a well-presented meal on a round plate, with a side of sauce, cast in natural light. There is an 'Insert' button underneath the image preview.

You can also generate several versions of the same image in SeedProd. To do this, click the generated picture and select ‘Edit with AI’ in the block settings.

A screenshot of SeedProd 'Image' editing panel with an option to 'Edit with AI' indicated by an arrow. It displays a top-down image of a plate with salmon, rice, and vegetables that has been placed within an image placeholder outlined in red.

Now, you’ll see options to create ‘Variations’ or ‘Edit Image’.

A screenshot of an interface titled 'Edit image with AI', with options for 'Generate with a prompt', 'Variations', and 'Edit Image' on the left side. The right side displays the edited image: a plate of salmon, rice, and vegetables beautifully arranged

Clicking Variations tells the AI to generate multiple versions of the same image.

A screenshot displaying a 'Generate variations of your image' interface with instructions to click on the 'Generate Variations' button to create different versions of the existing image. An arrow points to this button. Below are 'Back' and 'Cancel' options.

It’s a great way to keep the same theme but get different angles and perspectives.

Alt text: A screenshot showing two variations of an image of a plate with food, presented on a 'Generate variations of your image' interface

The Edit Image option lets you use a brush tool to alter the image directly. Select the area you want to change, then alter your original prompt to describe the change you want.

A screenshot of an editing interface titled 'Edit image with AI'. The panel includes a prompt to create a top-down photograph of a plate with salmon, rice, and vegetables, with a side of soy sauce. An instruction to provide a detailed prompt for the image appears above a 'Generate new image' button. To the right is the current image, with an eraser tool symbol and an arrow indicating a spot being erased from the image. The buttons 'Back' and 'Cancel' are also visible.

Then, click the Generate New Image button.

After a few seconds, you’ll see a new image with two variations of your described changes. From there, click Insert to add your favorite choice to your page.

A screenshot from an 'Edit image with AI' interface showing two variations of a top-down image of a plate with salmon, rice, and vegetables, both ready for insertion into a document.

Remember to save and publish your changes when you’re happy with the final result. 

Here’s an image of a simple meal I generated for a restaurant website:

On the left, a top-down image of a well-plated meal with salmon, rice, and vegetables, highlighted by a sunlit ambiance. On the right, a description of the dish.

Generate AI Images in WordPress with AI Engine

Pricing: Free + Pro add-ons
Free Plan / Trial: Free version available
Standout Features:
🔹 Text-to-image with prompt templates
🔹 Alt text and filename generation
🔹 Media Library integration
Rating: B+
Best For: Users who want flexible AI tools inside the WP dashboard

You can also use WordPress AI plugins to generate high-quality images for your website. For this method, I’ll use AI Engine, a WordPress plugin with various AI features, including AI text and image generation.

First, install and activate AI Engine on your WordPress website. For help, please see this guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Next, go to Meow Apps » AI Engine from your WordPress dashboard, and click the Settings tab.

A screenshot of a software interface for setting up 'Environments for AI', specifically for OpenAI. It includes fields for 'Name', 'Type', and 'API Key', with links to the OpenAI account for retrieving API keys  On the left sidebar, there's a highlighted section labeled 'Meow Apps' with options for 'Dashboard' and 'AI Engine', indicating a section of the interface dedicated to AI settings within the application.

If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to create an OpenAI API key. To do this, head to your OpenAI account, and click API Keys.

A screenshot of an  OpenAI API keys page interface

Next, click ‘Create new secret key.’ Now, enter a name for the key, set your permissions, and click the Generate Key button.

Copy the key and return your website.

Now, find the ‘Environments for AI’ panel and paste your API key. The plugin will save your key automatically.

You’ll see an Images option in the top right corner on the same screen. Click it to start creating images with AI.

A screenshot of the 'AI Engine | Settings' . It includes a header with options for 'Dashboard', 'Settings', and 'License', and a section titled 'Environments for AI' with OpenAI selected. An arrow points to the 'Images' tab, suggesting navigation to image-related settings.

The image generator has several premade prompt templates you can use. Alternatively, you can write your own image prompt in the text box.

Write your prompt, select the number of images you want, then click Generate.

A screenshot of an image generation interface with a text box. Above the text box, a dropdown menu is set to generate four images. On the left are template options including 'Ghibli Scene', 'Steampunk Architecture', and 'Nyao Illustration' with an 'Edit' button and a 'Reset' option below

After a few seconds, you’ll see several variations of your image prompt.

AI generated images in AI Engine

Choose an image you like best to see a larger version. AI engine automatically generates editable alt text, captions, and file names for you.

meta information for ai image

Once you’re happy with the image, click the Add to Media Library option.

You can now use the image anywhere on your WordPress site. To use it in a post, create a new post and add the image block.

Add WordPress image block

From there, select the AI-generated image from your WordPress Media library. After publishing your changes, you’ll see the image live on your website.

Here’s how my final image looks:

how to use ai to generate images for a blog post

Use Microsoft Copilot to Generate AI Images for WordPress

Pricing: Free (Microsoft account)
Free Plan / Trial: Yes
Standout Features:
🔹 Web-based text-to-image
🔹 Quick style refinements
🔹 Easy download and upload to WordPress
Rating: B
Best For: Anyone who wants fast AI images without installing a plugin

If you don’t want to use a WordPress plugin, you can use web-based tools to generate images with AI.

One of my favorite tools for this is Microsoft Copilot’s chatbot.  Based on a large language model, it can search the internet, answer questions, write content, and create images.

Copilot currently uses the DALL.E 3 model to generate images. All you’ll need to get started is a Microsoft account.

First, go to the Microsoft Copilot website and log into your account.

Next, type your image prompt into the chat box.

Microsoft Copilot text to image prompt

The AI will generate 4 versions of the image for you. 

Microsoft copilot image variations

Then, click the version you like best to see a larger version.

Image options in Microsoft Copilot

On this screen are options to refine your image further. You can make certain elements pop or blur or add a new style to the image.

In this example, I applied the watercolor effect:

Ai image with watercolor effect.

To save the image to your computer, click the 3 dots menu and select Download

Now, you can upload the image to your WordPress media library and add it to any post using the steps I detailed in the last method.

Best Practices for Writing AI Prompts

AI tools only work as well as the prompts you give them. A good prompt saves time, while a vague one creates extra editing work. Here are some simple practices I follow when writing prompts for AI image generators:

  • Be specific: Instead of “make a website photo,” say “modern homepage screenshot with clean white background and bold headline.”
  • Add style cues: Mention design style (minimalist, retro, playful) so results match your brand.
  • Include context: If the image is for a blog post, say so — “featured image for a WordPress tutorial.”
  • Use simple language: Short, clear words work better than long descriptions.
  • Test variations: Run 2–3 slightly different prompts and pick the best output.

Think of prompts like giving directions: the clearer you are, the closer the AI will get to what you need.

FAQs About Using AI to Generate Images

What is the best AI tool to generate images for WordPress?
The best tool depends on your needs. If you want an all-in-one WordPress builder with AI built in, SeedProd is the easiest choice. For plugin users, AI Engine is flexible. If you don’t want to install anything, Microsoft Copilot is free and works in your browser.
Can I use AI images for commercial purposes?
Yes. Most AI platforms, including DALL·E and SeedProd’s AI assistant, let you use generated images for personal and commercial projects. Always check the terms of the tool you’re using.
Do AI-generated images affect SEO?
AI images don’t hurt SEO, but how you use them matters. Always add descriptive alt text, compress file sizes for fast loading, and place images near relevant content.
How do I write a good AI image prompt?
Be specific, mention style or mood, and include context. For example, instead of “dog,” try “cartoon illustration of a golden retriever puppy wearing a red bandana.”

Start Using AI to Create WordPress Images

I hope this guide helped you learn how to use AI to generate images in WordPress.

You may also find the following AI guides helpful:

Thanks for reading! We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to leave a comment with any questions and feedback.

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author avatar
Stacey Corrin Writer
Stacey has been writing about WordPress and digital marketing for over 10 years and on other topics for much longer. Alongside this, she's fascinated with web design, user experience, and SEO.

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