Comprehensive exploration of diffusion models in image generation: a survey

Abstract

The rapid development of deep learning technology has led to the emergence of diffusion models as a promising generative model with diverse applications. These include image generation, audio and video synthesis, molecular design, and text generation. The distinctive generation mechanism and exceptional generation quality of diffusion models have made them a valuable tool in these diverse fields. However, with the extensive deployment of diffusion models in the domain of image generation, concerns pertaining to data privacy, data security, and artistic ethics have emerged with increasing prominence. Given the accelerated pace of development in the field of diffusion models, the majority of extant surveys are deficient in two respects: firstly, they fail to encompass the latest advances in diffusion-based image synthesis; and secondly, they seldom consider the potential social implications of diffusion models. In order to address these issues, this paper presents a comprehensive survey of the most recent applications of diffusion models in the field of image generation. Furthermore, it provides an in-depth analysis of the potential social impacts that may result from their use. Firstly, this paper presents a systematic survey of the background principles and theoretical foundations of diffusion models. Subsequently, this paper provides a detailed examination of the most recent applications of diffusion models across a range of image generation subfields, including style transfer, image completion, image editing, super-resolution, and beyond. Finally, we present a comprehensive examination of these social issues, addressing data privacy concerns, such as the potential for data leakage and the implementation of protective measures during model training. We also analyse the risk of malicious exploitation of the model and the defensive strategies employed to mitigate such risks. Additionally, we examine the implications of the authenticity and originality of generated images on artistic creativity and copyright protection.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Artificial Intelligence Review, 2025 · DOI ↗