Z.ai unveiled its new open-source GLM-Image model this week, challenging proprietary image generators like Google's Nano Banana Pro (also known as Gemini 3 Pro Image) in the realm of complex text rendering. The model offers an open-source alternative to Google's offering, which has seen significant adoption since its release late last year.
The GLM-Image model utilizes a hybrid architecture to achieve its proficiency in rendering complex text within visuals, according to VentureBeat. This development signals a potential shift towards open-source solutions in the rapidly evolving field of AI image generation.
Google's Nano Banana Pro, part of the Gemini 3 AI model family, has been praised for its speed, flexibility, and accuracy in generating text-heavy infographics, making it suitable for enterprise applications such as collateral, training materials, onboarding documents, and stationary. However, it remains a proprietary offering.
While Z.ai's GLM-Image presents a compelling open-source alternative, VentureBeat noted that practical accuracy may still vary between the two models. The emergence of GLM-Image follows a period of significant growth and positive reception for other AI models, including Anthropic's Claude Code, demonstrating the continued advancements in the AI landscape in 2026.
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