The internet has been abuzz recently with a new trend that transforms ordinary photographs into enchanting illustrations reminiscent of Studio Ghibli's iconic animation style. Celebrities, politicians, and everyday users worldwide are embracing the viral phenomenon, sharing AI-generated images that bring a touch of whimsical nostalgia to their social media feeds. However, the surge in popularity of these Ghibli-style images has ignited a heated debate over the ethics and legality of using artificial intelligence to replicate distinct artistic styles.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the trend by sharing AI-generated Ghibli illustrations via the MyGovIndia account, depicting him in diplomatic meetings and cultural moments. The MyGovIndia post featuring Modi was captioned, "Main character? No. He's the whole storyline. Experience through New India in Studio Ghibli strokes." Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar also participated, posting Ghibli-style illustrations of his iconic 2011 World Cup victory. "AI-sa kuch trend ho raha hai, maine suna. Toh socha, what if Ghibli made cricket?" Tendulkar wrote.
Celebrities such as Brazilian duo Maiara and Maraisa, soccer legend Ronaldinho Gaúcho, and TV host Ana Maria Braga shared animated versions of themselves, amplifying the trend's reach across social media platforms. Athletes from around the world are also joining in, with Olympiacos player Rodinei publishing a Ghibli-style image of his recent celebration in front of Panathinaikos player Fotis Ioannidis after Olympiacos's 4-2 victory.
The trend was propelled by the recent release of a new image generator integrated into ChatGPT, allowing users to transform their photos into Ghibli-style illustrations within seconds. OpenAI made the AI-powered image generation feature free for all ChatGPT users in response to the viral popularity of the Ghibli-style trend. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, announced that ChatGPT's image generation feature is now open to all users, even those using the free version, reflecting on the viral moment similar to ChatGPT's initial launch. "It's great to see how much people are enjoying creating images in ChatGPT," he wrote.
However, the rapid spread of the trend caught OpenAI off guard, pushing its servers to the brink. Altman acknowledged the chaos caused by the trend's popularity, which overwhelmed GPUs critical for image processing, but assured users that fixes were underway. "Our GPUs are melting," he humorously noted, adding that non-subscribers would face rate limits due to server hiccups caused by the deluge of images.
As the Ghibli-style images flooded social media, concerns began to surface regarding the ethical and legal implications of using artificial intelligence to replicate iconic artistic styles. Several fans of Studio Ghibli and its co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, as well as those who regard the profession of animation, have raised concerns regarding the ethics and morality of users attempting to create art through AI. Many artists argue that AI-generated art undermines their work and could lead to legal challenges, despite some users claiming it celebrates a visual tradition.
In a widely circulated excerpt from a 2016 documentary, Miyazaki is seen watching a demonstration of animation created with artificial intelligence and reacting with visible discomfort, calling it "an insult to life itself." Miyazaki has expressed his concern about the use of artificial intelligence in animation, drawing attention to the long-standing debate over AI's impact on traditional artistry.
OpenAI maintains that ChatGPT's image generation is meant to assist, not replace, human creativity, yet concerns over originality and artistic integrity persist. The company insists on "creative freedom" in its image generation while emphasizing a balance between creative freedom and responsibility, allowing broad studio styles while avoiding mimicking living artists' individual works. "We aim to maximize creative freedom," OpenAI stated, stressing that the generated images are inspired creations, not exact replicas.
The trend has also taken an eerie twist, as many users have noticed mysterious figures appearing in their AI-generated images—figures that were not in the original photos. Makeup artist Barkha Dahra had an unsettling experience when she used AI to transform a picture of herself and her husband into a Ghibli-style artwork. When the Ghibli-inspired image was created, a third person appeared in the frame. The unusual edits left viewers baffled, with some wondering if it's just a glitch or something more mysterious.
Despite the excitement caused by the new capabilities of OpenAI's model, many have expressed their dissatisfaction with how these images are produced. The trend raises ethical and legal questions about artificial intelligence replicating iconic artistic styles. Artists have long expressed concerns about how art is produced using AI, particularly regarding the use of copyrighted material in training datasets. Most AI models are trained on vast datasets sourced from the internet, including artworks from real illustrators, often without their consent or knowledge.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.