How to create images with AI: a beginner's first try

Choose and open a free tool

Your first action is to pick a free online tool and open it in your web browser. You don't need to spend money to try this out, as many trusted companies offer free AI image generators — these are smart computer programs that act like a digital artist, translating your written words into pictures. We'll use Microsoft Copilot as our primary example.

Open your web browser and go to copilot.microsoft.com. If you're not logged in, you'll see a screen asking you to sign in with a Microsoft account or create one. Once you're signed in, you'll see the Copilot interface. Then look for AI-related features, often found in the design creation flow or through a search function.

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Find the image generator

Now that you're in the tool, you need to tell it you want to create an image. In Microsoft Copilot, look for the image generation feature — this may be a dedicated button, a mode toggle, or you can simply describe what you want in the chat. Type a simple instruction into the input area. When you do this, you're giving a prompt to the AI – this is just a fancy word for the instruction you write to tell the AI what you want to see.

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Write your first detailed "prompt"

To get a great result, your prompt (the instruction) needs to be more than just one or two words. Think of it like giving a detailed recipe to a chef – the more specific you are, the better the dish will be! A good prompt usually has three main ingredients:

1. The Subject: Who or what is the main focus of the picture (e.g., "a fluffy ginger cat").
2. The Details: What they are doing, the colors, and the background (e.g., "wearing a blue knitted jumper, sitting on a wooden park bench, bright sunny day").
3. The Style: Do you want a realistic photo, a watercolour painting, a 3D cartoon, or something else (e.g., "soft watercolour painting style").

Now, type your complete, detailed description into the text box and send it. The AI will then start processing your request.

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Generate and review your images

After you send your detailed prompt, the AI will get to work. It usually creates a few different image options based on your description. This process can take anywhere from a few seconds to about half a minute, depending on the tool and how busy it is.

Once the AI has finished, you'll see a collection of images appear on your screen, usually displayed side-by-side or in a grid. Take a moment to look at them. Don't worry if they're not absolutely perfect yet – this is just the first draft! This step shows you the AI's interpretation of your words. If the images look completely wrong, double-check your prompt for any typos or unclear instructions.

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Refine or download your favorite

You don't have to settle for the first set of images. Most AI tools allow you to refine your results, just like talking to a helpful assistant. You can ask for changes to the images you see or generate completely new ones with a tweaked prompt.

If you want to make changes, simply type a follow-up instruction. If you're happy with an image, look for a "Download" or "Save" button, which is often an arrow pointing downwards or a disk icon, usually found near the individual image or at the bottom of the collection. Clicking this will save the image to your device. If you're refining, some tools let you select a specific image to refine, while others apply changes to the whole set.

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Review your image for watermarks and usage

Before you share your AI masterpiece, it's helpful to understand two quick concepts: watermarks and usage rights. Take a close look at the images you've generated.

A watermark is a faint, semi-transparent logo or symbol placed in the corner of an image to show which tool created it. Many free tools include these automatically to keep the images easily recognizable as AI-made. Next, think about usage rights, which are the rules for how you can use the images. As a general rule, images you make on free accounts are perfect for personal fun, sharing with friends, or school projects. However, if you plan to use them to make money (like on a commercial website or product packaging), you must check the tool's terms of service (their official list of rules) as some free tiers do not allow commercial use. Look for a "Terms" or "Legal" link, usually at the bottom of the website.