ChatGPT can now turn a photo into an animated GIF

ChatGPT can now turn a photo into an animated GIF, a short looping clip, when you ask in everyday language. The update is called Images 2.6. A TechRadar editor tested it on a photo of his cat, Chester, and the results were fun enough to share with family.

What changed

The first change is GIF creation. The request "Can you make a Halloween GIF of my cat to share with family?" produced the cat in a hat and cape, blinking slowly beside a flickering pumpkin. It was fine but dull. Asking for something more active, and telling ChatGPT to get creative, gave a much better clip of the cat casting a spell with a raised paw.

The second change is a saved reference image. You can ask ChatGPT to keep the original photo under a name, then call it up later by typing @Chester. It saves the original, not the edited versions. A request for a GIF of @Chester on the moon returned the cat as an astronaut chasing a butterfly.

Sharing and what is unknown

• Each finished GIF comes with a shareable link.
• You can also download it.
• You can share it straight to X, LinkedIn and Reddit.

The article does not say what Images 2.6 costs, which plans include it, or when everyone gets it. The reviewer called it a modest update, but said the saved reference image could prove the more useful feature over time.