A surge in AI-generated Ghibli-style artwork has pushed ChatGPT usage to an all-time high, with OpenAI’s servers struggling to keep up with demand. The viral trend, fueled by the platform’s advanced image-generation capabilities, has sparked both excitement and controversy, reigniting debates on AI’s role in artistic expression.
Inspired by the hand-drawn aesthetic of Japan’s iconic animation studio, Studio Ghibli—home to classics like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro—millions of users flocked to ChatGPT to create their own AI-powered masterpieces. This unprecedented wave of engagement saw weekly active users surpass 150 million for the first time in 2024, according to data from Similarweb.
The frenzy led OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to reveal on social media that the platform gained one million new users in just one hour—outpacing even ChatGPT’s record-breaking launch two years ago. SensorTower reported that ChatGPT app downloads, in-app subscription revenue, and active users all hit historic peaks last week, reflecting the widespread adoption of AI-assisted creativity.
However, the overwhelming demand caused server instability, leading to sporadic outages and performance slowdowns. OpenAI acknowledged the strain, with Altman cautioning users to expect delays and disruptions as the company works to scale up its infrastructure.
The Legal Gray Area of AI-Generated Art
Beyond technical challenges, the explosion of AI-generated Ghibli-style images has also raised legal and ethical concerns. Legal experts argue that while copyright law protects specific works, it does not necessarily extend to artistic styles—leaving the use of AI to replicate Ghibli’s aesthetic in murky legal waters.
“The question of whether AI-generated art infringes on an artist’s legacy remains open-ended. While style alone isn’t typically protected under copyright law, the sheer scale of AI-generated imitations presents new challenges for intellectual property rights,” said Evan Brown, partner at law firm Neal McDevitt.
OpenAI has yet to address concerns regarding the datasets used to train its AI models, adding to the growing debate on the boundaries between human artistry and machine learning.
A Legacy in Question
The resurgence of this debate also brought back comments from Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, a vocal critic of AI-generated art. A clip from 2016, in which Miyazaki reacted with visible disgust to an AI-generated animation, resurfaced amid the recent craze.
“I am utterly disgusted,” Miyazaki said at the time. “I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all.”
His words have reignited discussions about the soul of art in an era of artificial intelligence, with many questioning whether AI-generated content enriches or diminishes artistic integrity.
Despite the controversy, one thing is clear: AI-powered creativity is reshaping digital art, pushing boundaries, and challenging traditional notions of authorship. As OpenAI works to stabilize its platform, the world watches to see how the relationship between AI and human artistry continues to evolve.