Searching for images using generated images

A system comprising:

• a memory component;
• and
• a processing device coupled to the memory component, the processing device to perform operations comprising:
• receive a text search query in a natural language format to locate digital images included in a digital image repository;
• perform, using a generated digital image, an image-based search to locate the digital images included in the digital image repository by comparing first visual features of the digital images to second visual features of the generated digital image, the generated digital image being generated by a machine-learning model based on the text search query, the machine-learning model being trained on training data to generate generated digital images with visual features that correspond to semantic intents of training text inputs in the natural language forma;
• generate latent representations of the digital images;
• and
• present a search result of the digital images in a user interface based on the performing of the image-based search, the search result arranging the digital images in an order based on clusters of the latent representations.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable instructions, which when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations comprising:

• receiving a search query to locate digital images included in a digital image repository;
• performing, using a generated digital image, an image-based search to locate the digital images included in the digital image repository by comparing first visual features of the digital images to second visual features of the generated digital image, the generated digital image being generated by a machine-learning model based on the search query;
• generating latent representations of the digital images;
• and
• presenting a search result of the digital images in a user interface based on the performing of the image-based search, the search result arranging the digital images in an order based on clusters of the latent representations.