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Chronicles

The story behind the story

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Midjourney bought astrology app Co-Star, which uses AI to offer personalized advice, in the spring and is building its first standalone image-generation app

Artificial intelligence lab Midjourney Inc. has bought the popular astrology app Co-Star and is building its first standalone image-generation app …

Bloomberg Natalie Lung

Context & Ripple Effects

Midjourney had already expanded image creation beyond its original Discord-centered experience through website access for a broader set of users, then added V1 video generation for subscribers. The Co-Star acquisition and a standalone image app extend that progression toward consumer-facing distribution.

The reported deal joins an AI image maker with an app built around personalized advice, but the coverage does not establish how—or whether—Co-Star’s product will be integrated into Midjourney’s image tools.

First-order effects

  • Co-Star becomes part of Midjourney, while Midjourney begins building a dedicated image-generation app rather than relying solely on its existing web-based access.
  • Midjourney’s product roadmap now spans image generation, subscriber video generation, and a planned standalone consumer app.

Second-order effects

  • A standalone app could make Midjourney’s image tools easier to position as a repeat-use consumer service, increasing pressure on rival image generators to improve mobile or app-based access.
  • Co-Star’s acquisition gives Midjourney a consumer app property adjacent to personalized AI experiences, though any shared product or distribution strategy remains unreported.

Third-order effects

  • If AI-creation firms continue buying consumer apps and packaging models in dedicated products, competition may shift from model output alone toward audience ownership, interface design, and retention.
  • The pattern points to AI content tools becoming consumer software businesses with multiple media formats, building on Midjourney’s earlier move into video generation.

The trend: AI image companies are moving from single-purpose generation tools toward consumer app portfolios that combine creation, distribution, and recurring engagement.

Discussion

  • @shakeelhashim Shakeel on x
    what a funny acquisition
  • @midjourney @midjourney on x
    Midjourney is acquiring Co-Star. CEO @banu__guler is now Chief Design Officer at Midjourney. She's building a cross-functional design, product and frontend team for all our efforts. The Co-Star app will continue to operate under Banus complete control. Welcome Banu and team <3
  • @hnshah Hiten Shah on x
    This feels like a solid acquisition for @midjourney. Co-Star is a really well designed product.
  • @natlungfy Natalie Lung on x
    Exclusive: AI startup @midjourney has bought astrology app Co-Star and is planning to launch its first image-generation app. These are part of new software initiatives teased during the surprise medical scanner announcement last month. Thanks to @DavidSHolz and @banu__guler for t…
  • @jeremiahjw @jeremiahjw on x
    waiting to announce this the day after mercury retrograde is diabolical
  • @mikeisaac Rat King on x
    could someone tell me why a generative AI company would buy an astrology app bc i am not that smart
  • @emilydreyfuss Emily Dreyfuss on x
    A lot of people I know talk to chatbots like they do astrologers or psychics. They are looking for reassurance, and the tantalizing thing about AI is that it presents words so confidently that it gives off the feeling of expertise — exactly the kind of reassurance folks seek.
  • @banu__guler Banu Guler on x
    I moved to New York when I was 17.  I waited tables at a vegan restaurant, worked the night shift …
  • @nickadobos Nick Dobos on x
    Midjourney went from Ai image gen to medical scanner & spa, to acquiring the #1 astrology & horoscope app? What? I have no idea what this company is anymore and I love it
  • @davidsholz David on x
    @banu__guler is building a great team at Midjourney and im so happy to have her help. if you wanna join Midjourney to work on design, frontend, or product for any of our present or future efforts please reach out to her!
  • @karine_hsu Karine Hsu on x
    Midjourney acquiring astrology app Co-Star hopefully means more cool consumer AI apps!!!!
  • Sutian Dong Sutian Dong on linkedin
    Banu Guler and the Co-Star team are far too cool to use anything as pedestrian as LinkedIn, so let me be the first to say on this platform: …