GPT-4o Image Function Sparks New Thoughts on NFT

With the advancement of artificial intelligence technology, GPT-4o has introduced a new feature for generating images. Users only need to upload an NFT image and input simple style instructions, such as "Ghibli style" or "cyberpunk", and the AI can quickly transform it into a brand new visual effect. The emergence of this feature raises the question: when NFTs become a replicable art style, will it spark a new wave in the field of AI?

The New Relationship Between Style and Ownership

In recent years, the core value of NFTs has mainly been established on "verifiable scarcity" and unique community attributes. Well-known projects like CryptoPunks and BAYC have all created a limited number of "unique combinations" by designing a feature system and generating them algorithmically, endowing them with social identity attributes. However, the image generation capability of GPT-4o could potentially become a new driving force for the expansion of NFT styles. Are we about to enter a new era of "style equals on-chain ownership"?

Taking a well-known NFT project as an example, its iconic Japanese anime-style avatar has become a cultural symbol. Now, users only need to input relevant style instructions and upload any image to instantly generate images in a similar style, which could lead to widespread dissemination through "meme" images on social media.

Data shows that the floor prices of some leading NFT projects have significantly dropped from their peak last year. However, with AI-generated styles and the subsequent release of related film and television works, will NFTs have new development opportunities in terms of "style ownership"?

Practicality and Market Volatility

The decline in trading volume in the NFT market is not a coincidence. In December 2023, the market experienced a brief rebound, mainly benefiting from the speculation surrounding inscription NFTs in the Bitcoin ecosystem. According to recent data statistics, in December 2024, the concentration of token issuance from traditional PFP projects brought about a new wave of increment. By March 2025, the monthly trading volume had fallen back to $1.1 billion, with most transactions concentrated on projects that have strong community operations and real-world empowerment.

However, when AI can easily replicate specific artistic styles, should the value of NFTs shift towards "experiences that are difficult to automate," such as offline rights, in-game utility, or deep community consensus?

From Static Ownership to Dynamic Co-creation

The emergence of GPT-4o has brought shockwaves to multiple fields while also giving rise to new possibilities. Although the concept of "dynamic NFT" has been widely discussed since 2021, the refinement of AI tools may lead to more innovations. For example, allowing holders to modify PFP styles in real-time through AI tools, with each modification being recorded on the blockchain, creating a traceable creative history. This model will transform NFTs from "static avatars" to a "dynamic artistic co-creation process," potentially triggering a new wave of IP innovation.

Future Outlook

In the long run, the AI technology represented by GPT-4o may drive a fundamental transformation in the NFT industry and could also trigger a new wave of innovation. NFTs may evolve into broader "metadata containers," existing merely as certificates of rights, while their visual representation is generated in real-time by users through AI. For example, in the music NFT space, a significant portion of the album cover content may be co-created and customized by the holder, but the playback rights and revenue rights remain tied to the original NFT.

The future of NFTs may not be extinction, but rather an evolution into a more complex value network. When specific artistic styles can form a sense of ownership, true scarcity will return to humanity's need for community belonging, participation, and ongoing narratives. In this new era, NFTs may become an important link connecting technology, art, and community.