The Path to Becoming an AI Creator | Article Introduction "Is it okay if I don't have artistic talent?" Create professional-level images with Leonardo AI! A beginner's guide #LeonardoAI #ImageGenerationAI #AITools
Explanation video
First, let's get an overview of Leonardo AI by watching the explanatory video, then we'll go into more detail in the main text.
What is the AI technology "Leonardo AI"? An easy-to-understand explanation for beginners!
Hi everyone! I'm John, a blogger who provides beginner-friendly explanations of AI technology. Today, I'd like to talk about an AI tool called "Leonardo AI." This tool is an image-generating AI developed in Australia that can create beautiful illustrations and images simply by inputting text. For example, just typing "dragon flying in a blue sky" will produce a picture that looks like it was drawn by a professional artist. As AI advances rapidly, this tool is perfect for those who want to make creative work fun and easy. Its notable features include a free plan and the ability to use it commercially. Its appeal lies in the fact that it allows creators to quickly bring their ideas to life.
This Leonardo AI solves the problems of creative work. For example, even people who are not good at drawing can create high-quality visuals as long as they have an idea. It can be used in game development and web design, and recently a video generation function has been added, making it even more useful. Since its release in 2023, it has produced over 7 million works in a short period of time. The great thing about it is that even people who are interested in AI but do not have specialized knowledge can get started right away. By the way, I also explain a similar AI tool called Gamma on my blog. If you're interested,Gamma AI commentary articleCheck it out.
Leonardo AI technology explained through analogies
Now, for beginners, let me explain how Leonardo AI works. First of all, it is based on an AI model called Stable Diffusion. This is a technology in which an AI that has learned from a large amount of image data generates new images. Imagine you are a chef who memorizes many different ingredients (data) and creates new dishes based on recipes (prompts). Leonardo AI generates images from text instructions. For example, if you input "realistic cat illustration," the AI will create a unique picture based on cat images it has learned in the past.
Other unique features include "RealTime Gen" and "Realtime Canvas." RealTime Gen generates images in real time as you type prompts. You can make instant adjustments, just like drawing while talking to a friend. Realtime Canvas uses AI to create realistic drawings based on rough sketches. For example, you can draw a simple line and pass it to the AI to transform it into a professional-quality illustration! These use a uniquely enhanced model of Stable Diffusion, which allows for style specialization and even video generation. These are some complicated terms, but they're basically like LLMs (large-scale language models), where AI understands language and converts it into images.
Digging a little deeper, Leonardo AI uses a technology called LoRa to adjust the details of an image. This is like telling the AI to "strongly emphasize this part." The strength can be changed with a slider, making it intuitive even for beginners. Overall, AI is a tool that supports human creativity.
A look back at the development history of Leonardo AI
Let's take a look at the history of Leonardo AI from past to present. First, let's start with the past. It was released in 2023 by Australian company Leonardo Interactive Pty Ltd. At the time, it attracted attention as a tool for generating high-quality images from text. In a short period of time, it attracted over 7 users and produced over 7 million images. This marked the beginning of the AI boom.
Fast forward to the present day, and in July 2024, it was acquired by the well-known design tool Canva. This has further enhanced Leonardo AI, adding video generation functionality and improving the accuracy of real-time generation. Even in 2025, its flexibility for commercial use has made it popular among creators. For example, it is being used in game development and illustration production. It has evolved from a simple image generation tool of the past into a multi-functional platform.
The Leonardo AI team and community
The Leonardo AI team is made up of innovative people from Sydney, Australia. It was developed by Leonardo Interactive Pty Ltd, and has received even stronger support since its acquisition by Canva. The community is active, and users interact with each other on X (formerly Twitter). For example, one user posted, "RealTime Gen lets you instantly generate while typing prompts!", which garnered many likes. In another post, sharing the results of a video generation test, the user commented, "It distinguishes between the subject and the background." These interactions on X create an environment that's easy for beginners to learn.
The community is full of examples of use, with some even saying, "It's free and OK for commercial use!" The team themselves have officially announced that they are making use of user feedback. Looking at the X posts, AI creators are exchanging tips with each other, creating a warm atmosphere.
Leonardo AI Use Cases: Present and Future Possibilities
Here are three examples of how Leonardo AI is being used. First, there's an ongoing project called illustration production. It can create anime-style or photorealistic images simply by providing text instructions. For example, a web designer can generate a "blue bird logo" and immediately use it on their website.
Next, video generation. Currently, it is possible to create short videos from still images. Some users have commented that they were able to easily create videos of robots moving. In the future, this may expand to longer videos and interactive content.
The third is game development. In the future, AI will be used to generate characters and backgrounds, shortening development time. For example, it seems likely that indie game developers will be able to build worlds in their own unique style. Currently, AI is being used for prototyping.
Leonardo AI vs. Competitors
Let's compare Leonardo AI's competitors. The main ones are:
- Midjourney: Discord-based with a strong community, but the controls are a bit complicated.
- DALL·E: Made by OpenAI and is high quality, but the free tier is limited.
- Stable Diffusion: Open source, but requires customization and is not suitable for beginners.
Leonardo AI differentiates itself with its intuitive interface and real-time functionality. Its wide selection of style-specific models makes it flexible for commercial use. Another key point is its superior video generation capabilities compared to other tools.
Risks and precautions when using Leonardo AI
Leonardo AI is useful, but it also has risks. First, there are ethical issues. Due to copyright issues with AI-generated images, the original data may be based on the work of others. Be sure to comply with regulations and verify originality. In terms of performance, the generated results are not always perfect, so corrections are necessary. For example, hallucinations (AI hallucinations, i.e., incorrect output) may occur. Also, from a privacy perspective, while the official statement states that input data should be protected, caution is advised.
Let's hear from the experts
Let's take a look at what experts have to say. An article by AI Explorers praised Leonardo AI, stating that its strengths lie in its flexibility for commercial use and its style-specific design. Another X post by Shota Kiuchi introduced it as "the ultimate tool that's free and available for commercial use." AI pioneers like Yann LeCun also generally agree that generative AI like this enhances creativity. There are many positive comments from reliable sources.
Leonardo AI latest news & schedule
Currently in progress
As of 2025, Leonardo AI is currently being enhanced with Canva integration. An August post highlighted improvements to video generation. X posts also shared real-time feature testing.
Upcoming
The roadmap for the future is to aim for 3D model generation and further real-time improvements. According to the official announcement, the accuracy of the AI is planned to be improved.
Beginner FAQ
Q1: Is Leonardo AI free? A: Yes, the basic plan is free, but there is a credit limit. It can be expanded with a fee.
Q2: Does it support Japanese? A: Yes, you can use Japanese for prompts.
Q3: Is commercial use OK? A: Yes, it is possible under the terms of use.
Q4: How do I get started? A: Create an account on the official website and start by filling in the prompts.
Q5: Can you create videos? A: Yes, a recent feature allows you to create videos from still images.
Q6: Is it safe? A: Although the official website promises data protection, please be careful with your personal information.
Links
If you want to know more,Gamma AI commentary articleI also recommend it!
Summary: Leonardo is excited about the future of AI!
What did you all think? This is John. Leonardo AI is a fantastic tool that expands your creativity with the power of AI. I'm excited about everything from past releases to its current versatility and future possibilities. Just remember to be ethical while using it. Have a fun AI life!
List of sources: AINow (2024), Blue R Co., Ltd. (2025), AI Explorers (2025), X-posts from Hirochu, Sonechi, and Shota Kiuchi (2023-2024).
*This article is for informational purposes only and does not recommend investment or product adoption. Please make your own final decision (DYOR).