On December 31, 2025, Alibaba's Qwen team launched Qwen-Image-2512, an open-source AI image model, as a potential alternative to Google's proprietary Nano Banana Pro, also known as Gemini 3 Pro Image. The release addresses the need for more accessible and customizable AI image generation tools, particularly for enterprises with specific requirements.

Google's Nano Banana Pro, released in November, had set a new standard by enabling users to generate complex, text-heavy visuals like infographics and slides with accurate text rendering. However, its proprietary nature, tight integration with Google's cloud services, and premium pricing limited its accessibility for organizations requiring predictable costs, data sovereignty, or regional localization.

Qwen-Image-2512 aims to fill this gap by offering a freely available alternative under the Apache 2.0 license, allowing developers and businesses to use it for commercial purposes. According to a VentureBeat report by Carl Franzen, the model is accessible to consumers through Qwen Chat, and its full open-source weights are available on platforms like Hugging Face and ModelScope, enabling inspection and modification.

The rise of AI image models like Nano Banana Pro and Qwen-Image-2512 reflects a broader trend in artificial intelligence, where advancements in generative AI are rapidly transforming visual communication. These models utilize deep learning techniques to understand and generate images based on textual prompts, opening up new possibilities for content creation, design, and data visualization.

The open-source nature of Qwen-Image-2512 contrasts with the proprietary approach of Nano Banana Pro. Open-source models allow for greater transparency, community-driven development, and customization, but may require more technical expertise to implement and maintain. Proprietary models, on the other hand, often offer ease of use and dedicated support, but come with licensing restrictions and limited control over the underlying technology.

The launch of Qwen-Image-2512 represents a significant development in the AI landscape, providing a viable open-source alternative to Google's Nano Banana Pro. It remains to be seen how the model will be adopted and utilized by developers and enterprises, and how it will impact the broader market for AI image generation tools.