ChatGPT Users Generate Studio Ghibli Images, Melting GPUs ...
OpenAI's latest image generator has sparked a social media trend where users upload images and ask ChatGPT to transform them into a specific anime style pioneered by Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli. Now, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says that the viral use of ChatGPT for Studio Ghibli-style images has become so popular that it is overwhelming the company's AI servers.
The Trend Takes Off
The trend started when OpenAI released its 4o image creator, its "most advanced image generator yet," building it into ChatGPT for paying and free plans. Users quickly discovered that ChatGPT's new image generator could replicate the Studio Ghibli anime style, characterized by muted colors and vivid details, seen in popular films like "Spirited Away" and "The Boy and the Heron." ChatGPT users flooded social media with these images, transforming family portraits, replicating memes, and even generating video clips.
Altman mentioned in a post that the overwhelming demand for image generation had caused their GPUs to melt. GPUs, or graphics processing units, are specialized processors that power AI tasks. In response, OpenAI temporarily limited the number of images users could generate, with free users allowed a maximum of three images per day.
Controversy and Criticism
The co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki, known for being anti-AI, expressed his disapproval of AI-generated art. Miyazaki is famous for his dedication to hand-drawn and painted animation, considering AI-generated art as an insult to life itself.
Some social media users objected to ChatGPT generating images in the style of Studio Ghibli, arguing that AI could never replicate the emotion and depth present in human-made art from the studio. Others accused OpenAI of profiting from the studio's artwork without compensation or permission.
Copyright Issues
Hundreds of creatives have raised concerns about AI companies training their systems on copyrighted pieces. There have been debates over whether generating Studio Ghibli-style images violates copyright laws. The free version of ChatGPT blocks users from generating Ghibli-style images due to copyright concerns, while the paid version offers this feature without restrictions.
As the trend continues to grow, the debate between AI-generated art and traditional, human-made art will likely persist in the creative community.
