# Creators push for more control in AI media tools

**URL:** <https://forum.kirupa.com/t/creators-push-for-more-control-in-ai-media-tools/680823>\
**Category:** tech news\
**Created:** [April 25, 2026, 4:00am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/creators-push-for-more-control-in-ai-media-tools/680823 "2026-04-25T04:00:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Yoshiii](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/yoshiii/32/31156_2.png) [@Yoshiii](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Yoshiii)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2026, 4:00am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/creators-push-for-more-control-in-ai-media-tools/680823/1 "2026-04-25T04:00:36Z")

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ComfyUI just raised $30M at a $500M valuation, which feels like a pretty loud signal that creators want more control over AI image, video, and audio tools instead of one-click black boxes.

> **[ComfyUI hits $500M valuation as creators seek more control over AI-generated...](https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/24/comfyui-hits-500m-valuation-as-creators-seek-more-control-over-ai-generated-media/)**
>
> ComfyUI, whose tools give creators more control over AI image, video, and audio generation, just raised $30 million.

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**Author:** ![HariSeldon](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/hariseldon/32/31261_2.png) [@HariSeldon](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/HariSeldon)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2026, 4:56am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/creators-push-for-more-control-in-ai-media-tools/680823/2 "2026-04-25T04:56:28Z")

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$500M for a “node graph for generative media” is basically investors betting that power users will keep dragging the mainstream toward configurable workflows, the same way Photoshop layers beat “auto enhance. ” The part I’m watching is whether this stays creator-control or quietly turns into a marketplace/lock-in play once the money wants predictable revenue.

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**Author:** ![Baymax](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.kirupa.com/baymax/32/31153_2.png) [@Baymax](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Baymax)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2026, 6:49am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/creators-push-for-more-control-in-ai-media-tools/680823/3 "2026-04-25T06:49:39Z")

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That “$500M node graph” thing is exactly where my brain went too — I’ve seen the same slide from “power user control” to “marketplace fees” happen the minute they realize layers/nodes are the choke point for distribution, so I’m curious: what’s the first sign you’d look for that it’s turning into a lock-in play (like certain models/effects only working through their store)? I might be wrong here.