WEBDESK: The launch of ChatGPT’s new AI image-generation feature, which creates artwork in the style of Studio Ghibli, has led to a record increase in users for OpenAI’s chatbot.
The trend went viral as people worldwide shared AI-generated images inspired by the hand-drawn style of Studio Ghibli, the famous Japanese animation studio behind films like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. This surge in usage briefly overloaded OpenAI’s servers, forcing the company to limit the feature.
According to market research firm Similarweb, ChatGPT’s weekly active users exceeded 150 million for the first time this year. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed in a social media post that the chatbot gained one million users in a single hour, an unprecedented growth rate.
Data from SensorTower showed that global app downloads and active users increased by 11 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively, from the previous week. In-app revenue also saw a 6 per cent rise.
This AI-generated art syle has quickly gone viral on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit. Users are sharing stunning landscapes, whimsical characters, and fantasy scenes that resemble the beloved animation studio’s aesthetic. While many are impressed by the AI’s ability to replicate Ghibli’s signature look, others have raised concerns about originality and the impact of AI on traditional artists.
Bilawal Butto, famous Pakistani politician has also joined the viral Ghibli trend which is taking over social media.
Despite the excitement, the use of AI to replicate Ghibli’s artistic style has raised legal questions. Intellectual property experts point out that while copyright law protects specific works, it does not typically cover an artistic style.
Evan Brown, a lawyer at Neal & McDevitt, noted that the legal status of AI-generated images mimicking Ghibli’s art remains unclear. OpenAI has not yet responded to questions about how its AI models were trained or whether they used copyrighted material.
Meanwhile, comments from Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki have resurfaced. In a 2016 interview, Miyazaki strongly opposed AI-generated art, calling it “utterly disgusting” and stating he would never use such technology in his work.
As AI-generated art continues to gain popularity, the debate over its ethical and legal implications is expected to grow.
