Microsoft AI
MAI Image 2.5 — Microsoft's image model (the one behind Bing)
MAI-Image-2.5 is Microsoft AI's in-house image model — the default in Bing Image Creator since July 2026. On Kenerate: MAI Image 2.5 and MAI Image 2.5 Pro, pay per image.
- MAI-Image-1
- 13 October 2025 — in Bing Image Creator from 4 November 2025
- MAI-Image-2.5
- 2 June 2026 — text rendering, localised edits, consistent faces across edits
- Bing Image Creator
- MAI-Image-2.5 is the default model since 23 July 2026
- MAI-Image-2.5 Pro
- Microsoft's highest-fidelity model — hero images, detailed editing, precise text
- On Kenerate
- MAI Image 2.5 and 2.5 Pro, 1 reference
- Real outputs
- Official sources
- Free to start
- No watermark
Updated by the Kenerate AI team
Made with Kenerate
On this page
What is MAI Image?
What is MAI Image?
MAI Image is Microsoft AI's in-house image model family for natural, photographic images, text rendering and localised edits; MAI-Image-2.5 launched on 2 June 2026. Since 23 July 2026 it is the default model in Bing Image Creator. Kenerate AI runs MAI Image 2.5 and 2.5 Pro in the browser, with no watermark.
Key facts
- Maker
- Microsoft AI
- MAI-Image-1
- 13 Oct 2025
- MAI-Image-2.5
- 2 Jun 2026
- Bing default
- Since 23 Jul 2026
- On Kenerate
- 2.5 · 2.5 Pro
- Reference images
- 1
- Widest ratio
- 21:9 (MAI Image 2.5)
- Strengths
- Text · local edits · faces
Gallery
MAI Image examples
Real outputs made on Kenerate. Open any image to copy its prompt and run it yourself.
Same prompt
MAI Image 2.5 vs 2.5 Pro
The same portrait prompt on both Microsoft models.
PromptNatural light portrait of an elderly man with a flat cap on a park bench, autumn leaves, 85mm
MAI Image 2.5Natural, photographic
MAI Image 2.5 ProHighest fidelity
Models
MAI Image on Kenerate
Every version in the generator, and what each is good at.
Microsoft
MAI Image 2.5
- Reference images
- 1
- Output
- 10 ratios up to 21:9
Open MAI Image 2.5Best for
Natural, photographic
Microsoft
MAI Image 2.5 Pro
- Reference images
- 1
- Output
- 7 ratios
Open MAI Image 2.5 ProBest for
Highest fidelity
From our tests
Strengths and limits
Good at
- Natural, photographic results — portraits, travel, food and action shots all read as real photos.
- Wide ratios up to 21:9 for banners.
- The same model family Bing Image Creator uses, without daily limits.
Limits
- One reference image on Kenerate.
- Pro costs more — use 2.5 for most images.
How to
How to use MAI Image on Kenerate
Step 1
Open MAI Image 2.5
Pick it in /app/image. Any credit pack unlocks it.
Step 2
Write a photographic prompt
Subject, place, light and lens.
Step 3
Pick a ratio
Up to 21:9 for banners and headers.
Step 4
Upgrade for hero images
Re-run the final on MAI Image 2.5 Pro.
See it in the app
Open Image Studio and type what you want to see — subject, style, lighting and mood.
Watch the tour · 1:23
Prompts, styles, references, edit, Arena & chat
Chapters
Example uses
How creators use MAI Image
Illustrative examples of typical workflows, not customer reviews.
Website banner designer
A designer could pick a wide ratio up to 21:9 and get a natural photo for a site banner.
Food blogger
A food blogger could make an everyday overhead dish photo that reads as a real shot, using MAI Image 2.5 rather than Pro.
Pet photographer
A pet photographer could sketch action ideas like a dog mid-jump to plan a real shoot.
FAQ
MAI Image questions
What is MAI-Image-2.5?
MAI-Image-2.5 is Microsoft AI's in-house image model, launched on 2 June 2026 and the default model in Bing Image Creator since 23 July 2026. It follows MAI-Image-1 from October 2025, with better text rendering, localised edits and consistent faces across edits. On Kenerate it comes as MAI Image 2.5 for natural, photographic images and MAI Image 2.5 Pro for the highest fidelity.
Link to this answerIs this the same model as Bing Image Creator?
Yes, the same model family. Bing Image Creator's default model has been MAI-Image-2.5 since 23 July 2026, and Kenerate offers MAI Image 2.5 and 2.5 Pro through Microsoft's API. The difference is the workflow: on Kenerate you pay per image from one-time credit packs, with no daily limits, and you can switch to other image models without leaving the page.
Link to this answerHow much does MAI Image cost on Kenerate?
It is credit-based, and the exact cost is shown before you generate. Each image uses credits from one-time packs that never expire, with no subscription required; Pro and edits use more than a standard MAI Image 2.5 image. MAI Image is not on the free plan, so draft on MAI Image 2.5 and re-run only the final on Pro. Current packs are on /pricing.
Link to this answerCan it edit photos?
Yes. Upload one reference image and describe the change in plain words. Microsoft built MAI-Image-2.5 for localised edits and consistent faces across edits, so the person in your photo should stay recognisable while the rest changes. Both MAI Image 2.5 and 2.5 Pro take one reference image on Kenerate; use Pro when the edit needs the most detail or precise text.
Link to this answerIn depth
MAI Image, in depth
Background, how to prompt it, and when to pick something else.
From MAI-Image-1 to 2.5
When to pick MAI Image
Pick it for natural, photographic images — people, places, food — especially in wide banner ratios. For text-heavy graphics use GPT Image 2 or Recraft.
By the Kenerate AI teamLast updated and reviewed
We run these models in the Kenerate generator. Model facts come from the makers' own pages; specs and limits were checked against our code; the examples are our own outputs.
Sources: Microsoft AI — Introducing MAI-Image-2.5 · Microsoft AI — MAI-Image-2.5-Pro
