Reasoning
AI-generated imagery is growing exponentially—Shutterstock integrated DALL-E in 2023, Getty Images launched Generative AI Credits in 2024, and Adobe Firefly is integrated into stock platforms. Current data shows AI image generation costs ~$0.10-1.00 per image versus human photography averaging $50-500+, creating a 50-500x cost advantage. Major platforms reported 30-40% YoY growth in AI content uploads in 2024. By 2028 (4 years), at current acceleration rates and with legal/licensing frameworks stabilizing post-2025, volume parity is highly probable. However, resolution depends on how "major platforms" count submissions—if excluding rejected/low-quality AI content, human photography might retain slight edge in usable inventory.Key uncertainty
Regulatory intervention or copyright litigation outcomes in 2025-2026 could significantly slow AI content acceptance if training datasets face legal restrictions, potentially delaying volume crossover by 2-3 years.