AI Image Generation: Trends, Figures, and How We Use It at Dalbe

AI-generated images are no longer just a technical curiosity. In 2025, they became one of the most widely used tools in marketing and design. And yes, at Dalbe, we use them daily: for design ideas, website placeholders, social media visuals, presentations, and marketing materials. They save us time and open up space for more creativity.

Adoption and Market Growth

• Generative AI adoption in marketing grew from 33% in 2023 to 71% in 2024, with continuous growth in 2025.

• 36% of organizations use it specifically to create images.
• Approximately 49% of marketers globally use AI daily for images and video.
• 69% consider image generation as the primary use case for AI.

* data source: Exploding Topics

Market Size

The AI image generation market was valued at approximately USD 299 million in 2023 and estimated at USD 917 million in 2024, with an annual growth rate of 17.4%, crossing the USD 1 billion threshold this year. Approximately 34 million images are generated with AI every day. Some reports estimate that 71% of images shared on social media already have an AI component.

* data source: Photoroom

Efficiency and ROI

• Zalando reduced image production time from 6-8 weeks to 3-4 days and cut costs by 90% using "digital twins" instead of traditional photo shoots. In one campaign, 70% of visuals were AI-generated, according to Reuters.
• McKinsey estimates that in industries like beauty, AI-driven personalization can increase conversion rates by 40% and ROAS by 10-25%.

How We Use AI at Dalbe

• Design Ideas - for moodboards and quick creative directions.
• Website Placeholders - to make prototypes and demos as realistic as possible.

• Website Brainstorming

• Social Media - quick visuals, playful series, and graphic support for campaigns.

• Presentations and Marketing Materials - catchy images, delivered on time.
• Here, with ChatGPT - we created cartoon-style avatars, Shopify article mockups, and blog illustrations.

• For fun, or just because we were curious

Our most frequently used tools: Tengr.ai and ChatGPT (since the image generation part was integrated). For us, AI is a creative aid, not a replacement for professional design.

Challenges and Limitations

• Process Load - 56% of teams say AI integration has added extra pressure to workflows, according to an Adobe for Business report.
• Bias and Quality - AI images can repeat stereotypes or miss important details.
• It doesn't replace everything - real product photography, brand consistency, and legal compliance remain critical.

Value for Marketing

The examples are clear: cost savings, increased speed, and a creative boost. AI doesn't replace teams; it gives them the time and space to test more variations and personalize messages. In some industries, performance gains are measurable: +40% in conversions, +10-25% in media spending efficiency.

So, what do we do with this?

AI image generation is already a part of daily marketing work. The numbers explain the massive adoption, and the ROI examples show why companies aren't turning back. For us at Dalbe, it's a constant work tool: whether we're testing new design directions, preparing social campaigns, or building attention-grabbing presentations.

Krisztina, our smart and cheerful colleague passionate about Shopify front-end, uses AI daily for rapid prototyping—to give us an initial layout to start from. Alpar (Me) uses it in social media posts and on our website for images that attract and convey the right message.

We use AI for speed and inspiration, but we keep the human eye for brand identity, storytelling, and trust.