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Can I use AI-generated images in my business?
Short answer
Generally yes, for things like social graphics, blog images and flyers, if you follow the tool's terms and don't copy other people's work, logos or likenesses. Don't present AI images as photos of jobs you actually did, as that can mislead customers under consumer law. And don't assume you own exclusive rights: UK law on AI-generated works is under review.
Four checks before you use an AI image
- The tool's terms. Check the provider allows commercial use on your plan, and any restrictions.
- No copying. Don't prompt for a famous brand, character, artwork style that reproduces a real work, or a celebrity. The government's March 2026 copyright report notes both the user and the provider can be liable if a service reproduces a copyright work on request.
- Not misleading. AI images of a "finished kitchen" or "before and after" that aren't your work can mislead customers. Label illustrations clearly, or use your own photos for proof of work.
- Real people. Don't create images of identifiable people without permission. Deepfakes are a growing legal risk, and the EU AI Act requires deepfakes to be labelled where it applies.
Can you own the image?
UK copyright currently gives some protection to computer-generated works under section 9(3), but the government has proposed removing it for works with no human author. The more you shape the image (editing, combining with your own photos, design choices), the stronger your claim. See who owns AI-generated content?
Logos
An AI logo can be a starting point, but you can't stop a competitor using something similar unless you have a registered trade mark. Check the UK IPO register first, and consider having a designer refine it.
Good uses for AI images
- Simple illustrations for blog posts and guides
- Background graphics for social posts with your own text
- Mock-ups to show a customer an idea, clearly labelled as a mock-up
- Icons and diagrams
Related questions
Are ChatGPT images free to use commercially?
OpenAI's terms let you use outputs, including commercially, subject to its policies, but it can't give you rights over anything that copies someone else's work. Check the current terms for your plan.
Is Canva's AI safe to use for business images?
Canva's own terms set the rules for its AI features. Check them for your plan before using images in paid advertising.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Report on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence (18 March 2026)
- EU: quick facts on AI Act transparency rules
Checked 17 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so check the source before you rely on it. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
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