Houston, TX, UNITED STATES – February 18, 2025 – As AI continues to reshape industries, universities and educators are increasingly adopting open-source AI tools to enhance creative learning. A new report from ThinkDiffusion explores why academic institutions are embracing open-source AI, citing benefits such as affordability, transparency, and the ability to customize tools to fit educational needs.
ThinkDiffusion, the leading cloud platform for running Stable Diffusion and other open source AI art apps such as ComfyUI, Automatic1111 and Forge, has seen a surge in adoption from educators and students seeking flexible AI solutions for their classrooms. Unlike proprietary AI platforms, open-source solutions offer educators the ability to teach AI literacy while allowing educators and students to experiment, tinker, and understand AI models from the inside—a fundamental component of academic settings.
“We’ve seen a 20% rise in inbound requests from professors exploring AI tools over the past two years, reflecting the broader shift in academia toward AI-driven creativity,” said Phu Ngo, CEO of ThinkDiffusion. “With the AI in Art Market projected to reach USD 40.3 billion by 2033 and cloud-based AI already capturing 65% of market share in 2023, the demand for flexible, open-source solutions like ThinkDiffusion is stronger than ever.” (1).
Open-Source AI Tools Driving Academic Innovation
“Universities are at the forefront of AI innovation, and open-source tools give educators and students the freedom to experiment, learn, and create,” said Phu Ngo, CEO at ThinkDiffusion. “That transparency and customizability are essential in academic environments, where deep exploration and understanding of how AI works is just as important as the end results. Our platform makes it easier than ever for schools to integrate AI into their curriculum, whether for art, design, film, fashion, architecture or research.”
Growing Global Footprint in Higher Education
While ThinkDiffusion’s studio and platform are used by various organizations worldwide, many prominent universities and institutions have independently explored ThinkDiffusion’s tools within their own programs. Educators from schools such as Harvard, CalArts, the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, the National University of Singapore, the Kyoto Institute of Technology, ENSAP Bordeaux and Scripps College have taken steps to implement or test open-source AI solutions in their creative curricula.
Expanding AI Access Through Training and Professional Services
Beyond its cloud platform, ThinkDiffusion also provides training services for organizations looking to up-skill staff, faculty and students in AI-powered creativity. From hands-on workshops to personalized coaching, ThinkDiffusion helps creative professionals and educators navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Additionally, ThinkDiffusion Studio offers custom AI solutions and consulting services for businesses, educators, and creative professionals. In the past year, the studio has collaborated with a diverse range of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups, including McDonald’s, Toyota, ANTA, SailGP, EdgeRunner AI, and more. Whether developing AI-enhanced visuals for marketing, assisting research projects, or optimizing workflows, the studio provides cutting-edge solutions tailored to client needs.
The Future of AI in Education
The ThinkDiffusion report highlights a broader trend in academia: AI is not replacing creativity but enhancing it. By leveraging open-source AI tools like Stable Diffusion, Flux, ComfyUI, Automatic 1111, Forge, and others that provide full transparency and customizability, students and educators can explore new creative possibilities while developing critical skills for the future.
“AI is becoming a collaborative partner in the creative process,” added Mr Ngo. “We’re seeing incredible innovations from universities that are using AI to augment traditional artistic methods and push the boundaries of what’s possible.”
As AI adoption in education continues to grow, ThinkDiffusion remains committed to providing accessible, affordable, and high-performance AI solutions tailored to educators and creative professionals alike.
For more information, visit https://www.thinkdiffusion.com.
About ThinkDiffusion
ThinkDiffusion is the leading cloud-based platform for running Stable Diffusion, ComfyUI, Automatic1111, Forge, and other pro-level open-source apps at the bleeding edge of AI art and video. Designed for enthusiasts, professionals, educators, and businesses, ThinkDiffusion offers cutting-edge AI tools, training, and consulting services to empower the next generation of AI creativity.
(1) Source: ThinkDiffusion analysis and Market.us report on the Global AI in Art Market (https://scoop.market.us/ai-in-art-market-news/).
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/HsofCHJQ7nM
Media ContactCompany Name: Think Diffusion Inc.Contact Person: Matt ShihEmail: Send EmailPhone: 346 434-1224Address:2700 Post Oak Blvd, Floor 21 City: HoustonState: TexasCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.thinkdiffusion.com
