In the era of advanced AI, tools like ChatGPT have taken creativity to new heights. Recently, OpenAI updated ChatGPT-4o with an impressive image generator that has captured the attention of many users. Among these enthusiasts is a parent who discovered a unique way to bring their children’s artwork to life through this technology. By photographing kids’ drawings and uploading them to ChatGPT, they transformed simple sketches into lifelike creations. This article explores the process, challenges, and outcomes of this innovative project.
Getting started involves capturing the essence of each piece of art. The parent used their phone to take quick photos of the children’s work without any editing or special lighting. Despite having ChatGPT Plus, they noticed that uploading images directly from their phone triggered DALL-E, an older image generation system. To resolve this issue, the parent opted to email the images to themselves and upload them via their desktop computer instead. This ensured compatibility with the newer and more sophisticated image generator.
Once the images were ready, the next step was interacting with ChatGPT. Each artwork was uploaded individually, accompanied by detailed instructions such as “Please create a realistic version of this drawing, focusing on the details to make it lifelike.” However, initial attempts encountered some hurdles. Occasionally, the AI would replicate the original image without enhancing its realism. In response, the user refined their prompts, specifying additional details like including certain elements from the original artwork. For instance, they might ask for a crown to be incorporated into the regenerated image.
It’s important to note that while AI can produce remarkable results, it also has moments of unpredictability. One example involved a stick figure returning in a style reminiscent of horror movies. When results veered too far into unsettling territory, the parent instructed ChatGPT to adjust the tone, requesting friendlier and more playful renditions akin to characters from children’s TV shows. These adjustments highlighted the flexibility of AI when guided with precise directions.
For those eager to explore this feature regularly, investing in ChatGPT Plus could prove beneficial. It ensures access to the latest tools and functionalities, especially since image generation may not always function optimally on mobile devices. Users should verify that they are using GPT-4 via desktop if mobile uploads fail. Additionally, ChatGPT’s Image Library provides a convenient way to organize all generated images.
This project evolved into an unexpectedly delightful experience for the family. Beyond just creating realistic versions of drawings, it offered a fresh perspective on the children’s creativity. The kids were thrilled to see their ideas come alive and quickly requested transformations for every single one of their artworks. This trend invites others to experiment with their own creations, offering endless possibilities for artistic exploration and fun.
As the PGA Tour prepares for this week's CJ Cup Byron Nelson tournament, all eyes are on Scottie Scheffler. Despite recent changes in pace-of-play regulations that some players may have overlooked, Scheffler is set to make a significant impact. Ranked seventh on the money list, he aims to rise higher among the top contenders. With only three of the top 30 money leaders and 16 of the top 50 participating in this event, Scheffler has an opportunity to capitalize on his position. Although a win won't be enough to surpass current leader Rory McIlroy, it could propel him into third place behind McIlroy and Justin Thomas.
This week’s competition at TPC Craig Ranch near Dallas features a relatively modest lineup compared to previous tournaments. Among the notable participants, Scottie Scheffler stands out as the highest-ranked player in the field. His presence alongside Sungjae Im and Ben Griffin adds intrigue to the event. Griffin recently claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the Zurich Classic, sharing the title with Andrew Novak. However, without major shifts expected among other competitors, Scheffler's performance will likely dictate any significant movement on the money list.
The stakes are high for Scheffler, who could secure a substantial prize of $1,782,000 if victorious. This financial boost would not only enhance his ranking but also affirm his status as one of golf's premier talents. While Rory McIlroy remains untouchable in terms of earnings for this tournament, Scheffler's focus remains on narrowing the gap between himself, McIlroy, and Thomas.
In reviewing the leaderboard, McIlroy leads with an impressive $13,326,650, followed by Thomas and Russell Henley. Scheffler trails slightly with $4,929,197, yet his potential for advancement is evident. The dynamics of this year's competition highlight Scheffler's determination and strategic approach, ensuring that every stroke counts towards achieving his ambitious goals.
Beyond individual aspirations, the tournament offers fans a thrilling spectacle of skill and strategy. As players navigate the challenging course at TPC Craig Ranch, the stage is set for memorable performances. Scheffler's journey through this event underscores the competitive spirit driving professional golfers today. Regardless of outcomes, his participation promises excitement and anticipation for both spectators and analysts alike.
A significant disruption in Zelle's payment services left hundreds of users unable to transfer funds through their banks or credit unions. The issue, attributed to an internal error at Fiserv—a third-party provider of payment infrastructure—lasted over 12 hours and affected multiple financial institutions. Despite initial reports of resolution, complaints resurfaced later in the day, highlighting ongoing instability. Major banks like Bank of America and Wells Fargo remained unaffected due to their independent infrastructures.
Details of the Payment Service Outage
In a span of several hours on May 2nd, 2025, users across the United States encountered difficulties while attempting to send payments via Zelle. The problem originated from an internal glitch within Fiserv, a company responsible for facilitating online transactions for numerous banks. Starting early morning Pacific time, outage trackers such as Down Detector began recording spikes in user complaints, reaching a peak of nearly 1,000 reports by midday. Affected regions included various states where customers rely heavily on digital banking solutions provided by smaller credit unions and regional banks that depend on Fiserv’s systems.
By afternoon, Fiserv announced it had identified and resolved the primary issue, though they acknowledged a backlog of pending transactions would take additional time to clear. However, shortly after this announcement, another surge in complaints emerged, indicating unresolved complications. Throughout the day, social media platforms filled with frustrated posts from individuals whose paychecks failed to process or who faced urgent financial needs without access to transferred funds.
Potential Alternatives Amidst Disruptions
For those seeking immediate alternatives during this period of uncertainty, other peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App were suggested as viable options. These services offer similar functionalities without relying on the same underlying infrastructure impacted by Fiserv's troubles. Users were encouraged to explore these alternatives if critical payments could not wait until full restoration of Zelle's operations.
As evening approached, there was some indication of improvement; however, lingering concerns persisted among users still awaiting confirmation of successful transfers. Ultimately, both Zelle and Fiserv committed to addressing root causes more effectively moving forward to prevent future disruptions.
From a journalist's perspective, this incident underscores the vulnerabilities inherent in centralized payment networks reliant upon single providers like Fiserv. It serves as a reminder for consumers and businesses alike about diversifying methods of transferring funds digitally. Additionally, it calls attention to the necessity for robust contingency plans within financial service industries to minimize inconvenience caused by unforeseen technical failures. Moving forward, greater transparency regarding recovery timelines might help alleviate anxiety experienced by affected parties during such events.