Image Playground Just Got An AI Brain: Now Powered By ChatGPT

Yesterday, at the WWDC 2025 event, Apple announced a few new AI features for Apple Intelligence. One of those is related to Image Playground, an AI-powered image generation tool that is part of the Apple Intelligence rollout. As part of the latest update, Apple has integrated ChatGPT into Image Playground, allowing users to create a variety of AI-generated images. 

While Apple rolled out Image Playground in a phased manner last year, users reportedly complained about the limited image creation style options. Previously, you could only choose between three different styles, such as Sketch, 3D Cartoon, and Animation. 

Well, Apple is expanding those style choices with iOS 26 by integrating ChatGPT into Image Playground. So, what new styles can you choose from? First of all, “Any Style” and “Oil Painting.” Then there’s Watercolor, Vector, Anime, and Print. 

For example, you can take the help of ChatGPT inside Image Playground to create a Contact Poster using your friend’s photo to match their vibe. If you want to create something but aren’t sure of what style to pick, simply choose “Any Style” and type what you want. Next, ChatGPT will do its magic. 

Apple says privacy is still one of its focus points

Apple says that the system still uses the in-house on-device AI models for faster, privacy-centric generation in Image Playground. However, those requiring more creativity now have the option to send the input to ChatGPT. The company assures that “you’re always in control, and nothing is shared with ChatGPT without your permission.”

No doubt, the existing Image Playground tool does a decent job of generating images, albeit in three different styles. With ChatGPT now available for additional processing, you can always create something that you’ve been wanting for so long. If you aren’t a developer but want to try the public beta of iOS 26 in July, you have to sign up here first.