A viral trend of generating Studio Ghibli-style images using ChatGPT’s image-generation tool has led to a record surge in OpenAI’s chatbot users, temporarily straining its servers. The AI-generated art, inspired by the renowned Japanese animation studio behind “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro,” flooded social media, driving ChatGPT’s average weekly active users beyond 150 million for the first time this year, according to Similarweb data.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed that one million new users joined within an hour, surpassing the platform’s early growth rates. Data from SensorTower indicated all-time highs in active users, app downloads, and subscription revenue following OpenAI’s updates to its GPT-4o model, which introduced advanced image-generation capabilities.
However, the AI tool faced performance issues, including glitches and temporary outages, as it struggled with the sudden traffic spike. Altman warned users to expect delays in new releases and occasional service disruptions as OpenAI addresses capacity challenges.
The trend has also sparked legal concerns over potential copyright violations. While copyright law typically protects specific artistic expressions rather than styles, legal experts note the uncertainty surrounding AI-generated images mimicking Ghibli’s distinctive aesthetic.
The controversy reignited past remarks from Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, who had previously expressed strong opposition to AI-generated art, stating in 2016, “I am utterly disgusted” and vowing never to incorporate the technology into his work.
Source: Swifteradio.com
