Studio Ghibli vs. ChatGPT: Why AI is going to destroying art
Recently, ChatGPT launched an image generator that can “Studio Ghibli-fi” any image you add to it. Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio that was founded by Hayao Miyazaki and is globally renowned for its stunning, hand-drawn animation style. Ghibli films such as Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke are considered classics of animation, and brought Japanese film into worldwide consciousness, with Spirited Away winning Best Animated Picture at the 75th Academy Awards.
ChatGPT: A New Tool for Art Creation
I’m going to be honest: I use ChatGPT. I was reluctant at first, but recently, I’ve found it very helpful, and often is replacing using Google to search the web. Instead of finding me web results, ChatGPT searches the web and summarizes the information it finds, so I don’t have to look for it.
Often, I use it for instructions on how to do something, or simply to ask questions. For example, I used ChatGPT just now to ask: “When did Spirited Away win Best Animated Picture?” 😂 I also find it interesting that ChatGPT can be conversational and almost companion-like, especially with the addition of a memory function that helps it remember things you’ve spoken about in the past.
The Controversy Around AI Art
There has been much controversy around the Studio Ghibli photo filter, with many people saying it kills the spirit of animation. Miyazaki’s art takes months to animate — and the creative process is fundamental to the eventual output. It took him decades to master his style and create artistic masterpieces… but now, AI can replicate it in seconds.
It raises questions about what, fundamentally, art is. Miyazaki’s son, Goro, commented on ChatGPT’s filter in an article with The Japan Times, in which he is scathing about it. It is even suggested that Studio Ghibli has grounds to take legal action against OpenAI — ChatGPT’s owner.
“Technology can be useful, but storytelling and emotion still need humans.” - Goro Miyazaki
I definitely don’t have the answer to these questions — but I’m very much leaning toward the side of AI art being a catastrophic thing for creativity. But this technology is moving faster and faster every day, and will inevitably change the world, which is scary.
I think AI risks us losing what really matters most in creativity and art. The human soul. The yearning for connection and self-expression. Without it, art is meaningless.
📺 A TV show I loved: Black Mirror’s new episode, Common People.
📹 A YouTube video I loved: Why can’t we stop scrolling? by Jared Henderson.
📰 An article I found fascinating: ‘Views’ are lies from The Verge.
💿 An album I liked: Like Love by Ball Park Music.
📖 A book I read: Fahrenheit-182 by Mark Hoppus.
