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Microsoft cuts AI image generation costs by 41% with faster MAI-Image-2-Efficient model, signaling independence from OpenAI
VentureBeat AI · April 14, 2026
AI Summary
- •MAI-Image-2-Efficient priced at $5 per million text tokens and $19.50 per million image tokens, down 41% from the original MAI-Image-2 pricing
- •New model runs 22% faster and delivers 4x greater throughput efficiency per GPU on NVIDIA H100 hardware compared to flagship version
- •Available immediately in Microsoft Foundry and MAI Playground with no waitlist, marking the fastest release yet from Microsoft's AI superintelligence team
- •Microsoft claims the model outperforms competing solutions like Google's Gemini 3.1 Fl, demonstrating commitment to building a self-sufficient AI stack
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