In a significant move that has caught the attention of AI enthusiasts across India, technology giants Google and OpenAI have dramatically reduced the number of photos and videos users can create through their artificial intelligence tools. Both companies have pointed to unprecedented demand and strained computing resources as the primary reasons for these immediate restrictions.
Google Slashes Nano Banana Pro Limits
Google, which just launched its revolutionary image generation tool Nano Banana Pro last week, has already implemented severe usage restrictions. The company has reduced the daily limit for free users from the initial three images to just two photos per day.
The reduction was first spotted by technology publication 9to5Google, highlighting how quickly Google had to scale back access. The company has explicitly warned users that these usage caps might change frequently and could be implemented without notice, which has become standard practice following the launch of popular AI tools.
Google is also reportedly limiting free users' access to its underlying large language model, Gemini 3 Pro. For those seeking expanded capabilities, the company is directing users toward paid options. You can upgrade to a Google AI plan for expanded access to features and models in Gemini Apps. Gemini Apps upgrades are part of select Google One paid plans for personal accounts, the company stated in its official communication.
OpenAI's Sora Faces GPU Meltdown
Meanwhile, OpenAI has implemented immediate restrictions for video generation using its much-hyped Sora AI model. Bill Peebles, who leads the Sora team at OpenAI, announced severe cuts to video usage, directly citing the enormous computational demands of the platform.
In a remarkably candid explanation, Peebles stated, Our GPUs are melting, confirming that free users will now be limited to just six video generations per day. Unlike previous temporary restrictions that OpenAI has implemented, Peebles did not characterize these new caps as short-term measures.
The move signals a clear push toward monetization, as Peebles added that users can purchase additional gems as needed. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he elaborated: We're setting usage limits for free users to 6 gens/day. ChatGPT Plus and Pro users have unchanged limits, and everybody can purchase additional gens as needed. Our GPUs are melting, and we want to let as many people access Sora as possible!
What This Means for Indian AI Users
The restrictions come at a time when Indian users have been increasingly adopting AI tools for both professional and personal use. The limitations on Google's Nano Banana Pro and OpenAI's Sora represent a significant shift in how major tech companies are managing the computational costs of running advanced AI models.
While paying subscribers of ChatGPT Plus and Pro continue to enjoy unchanged limits, free users across India will need to carefully ration their AI image and video generation activities. The situation highlights the enormous computational resources required to power these cutting-edge AI tools and suggests that the era of unlimited free access to premium AI capabilities may be coming to an end.
As both companies grapple with overwhelming demand and strained computing resources, Indian users can expect more such restrictions unless they opt for paid subscriptions. The developments underscore the challenging balance between making advanced AI accessible to everyone and managing the substantial infrastructure costs involved.
