Artificial Intelligence is no longer limited to answering questions or writing text. Today, one of the most exciting frontiers is AI image generation. Tools like MidJourney and DALL·E made headlines, but users are now asking: Can Perplexity AI generate images?
The short answer is yes—but with some important nuances. In this post, we’ll explore what Perplexity AI’s image generation can and can’t do, how to get the best results, and where it fits compared to other AI systems.
What Perplexity AI’s Image Tool Actually Does
Perplexity AI is best known as an answer engine, providing real-time, sourced responses. But it also offers an image generation feature that creates visuals directly from your text prompts.
This means instead of retrieving stock photos or copying from the web, the system creates unique graphics, illustrations, and concept art from scratch.
For example, you could ask:
“A minimalist flat design of a laptop on a desk.”
“A watercolor painting of a panda reading in a bamboo forest.”
“3D mockup of a smartphone app dashboard.”
The results won’t be images you’ve seen before—they’re entirely new creations.
Where Perplexity AI Excels
The image generation tool is not about photo-realistic photography. Instead, it’s strongest in areas like:
Illustrations for blog posts or presentations
Concept sketches for design or product development
Educational visuals to explain abstract ideas
Creative content for social media or storytelling
This is why many businesses experimenting with AI-powered marketing are beginning to blend content + visuals in new ways. (Related reading: How companies are using AI in marketing)
Limitations to Keep in Mind
Like any AI tool, Perplexity AI has boundaries:
It cannot edit or analyze existing photos
It does not retrieve real-world photos from the web
Realism can be limited compared to advanced tools like MidJourney
Instead, think of it as a visual sketchpad—a way to produce original images quickly, without licensing issues, but not a full replacement for photography.
This mirrors the broader debate about whether AI will replace existing fields. (If you’re curious, check our post: Will AI replace SEO?)
How to Get the Best Results
To get useful images from Perplexity AI, you need to be precise in your prompts. Here are some best practices:
Be descriptive. Instead of “draw a cat,” say “a cartoon-style orange cat sitting on a windowsill with the city skyline in the background.”
Include style or medium. Words like “digital art,” “pencil sketch,” “3D render,” or “watercolor painting” dramatically change the results.
Add mood and atmosphere. “Dark and cinematic” vs. “bright and cheerful” produce completely different outputs.
Iterate. Don’t settle for the first attempt—refine and guide the system with additional context.
This principle of iteration also applies to AI text tools, where businesses refine prompts to get the best visibility. For example, see how we explained it in How businesses are using ChatGPT in 2025.
How It Compares to Other AI Engines
Perplexity AI’s image generation is useful, but it’s not designed to compete head-to-head with highly specialized platforms. Instead, it’s a bonus feature integrated into an already powerful knowledge engine.
That’s important because it signals where the market is going: AI engines are no longer “just text.” They’re multimodal, capable of mixing text, visuals, and eventually even audio or video.
Where Businesses Can Use This
For marketers, educators, or content creators, Perplexity AI’s image generation opens up real opportunities:
Blog illustrations: Create quick, relevant graphics to break up long text.
Pitch decks: Add original visuals instead of stock images.
Social content: Generate custom memes, infographics, or stylized art.
Product brainstorming: Visualize prototypes and design concepts.
This is especially powerful when combined with other AI ranking and tracking strategies. If you’re working with AI visibility, check our full breakdown: Top 22 best AI search rank tracking tools for 2025.
Quick Recap
Yes, Perplexity AI can generate images
It’s best for illustrations, graphics, and mockups
It does not retrieve or edit existing images
Prompt quality is the key to better results
It complements text-based AI, making Perplexity more versatile
So, can Perplexity AI generate images? Absolutely. But the real takeaway is this: it’s not trying to be the next Photoshop or MidJourney. Instead, it gives you an accessible, built-in tool for creative visuals—perfect for those who want both knowledge and imagery from the same platform.
In a future where AI engines are increasingly multimodal, this is just the beginning. If you’re serious about visibility in these ecosystems, you’ll want to track not only where your content ranks in text answers, but also how AI platforms handle and surface visuals.