The recent enthusiasm for generating Ghibli-style AI art using ChatGPT’s image generation capabilities resulted in a significant increase in users for OpenAI’s chatbot last week, leading to server strain and temporary limits on feature usage.
This trend captivated social media users worldwide, who flooded platforms with images reminiscent of the hand-drawn style associated with the esteemed Japanese animation studio, Studio Ghibli, co-founded by acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki, recognized for beloved films like “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro.”
According to data from market research firm Similarweb, the average number of weekly active users surpassed 150 million for the first time this year.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced on Monday via an X post that the platform attracted one million new users within just one hour, a stark contrast to the five-day period it took to gain the same number of users shortly after ChatGPT’s highly successful launch over two years ago.
Last week, the chatbot saw record highs in active users, in-app subscription revenue, and app downloads, as reported by SensorTower, following updates to its GPT-4o model that enhanced image generation capabilities.
Global app downloads rose by 11 percent, while weekly active users increased by five percent compared to the previous week. In-app purchase revenue also saw a six percent uptick, according to findings from the market intelligence firm.
Despite the surge in traffic due to the image-generating feature, users reported experiencing a range of glitches and minor outages over the past week.
“We are working on resolving these issues, but users should be prepared for potential delays in new releases, occasional service disruptions, and slower performance as we navigate capacity challenges,” stated OpenAI co-founder on Tuesday.
Legal Concerns
The widespread use of the AI tool for creating Ghibli-inspired images has sparked discussions regarding possible copyright infringements.
“The legal framework surrounding AI-generated images that mimic Studio Ghibli’s unique style remains ambiguous. Generally, copyright law safeguards specific expressions, rather than the artistic styles themselves,” explained Evan Brown, a partner at the law firm Neal & McDevitt.
OpenAI has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the data utilized to train its AI models, nor the legal implications of the feature’s latest iteration.
Comments made by Miyazaki in 2016 resurfaced last week amidst the trend, where he expressed his distaste for AI-generated images: “I am utterly disgusted,” he remarked after viewing an early version of an AI-generated creation. “I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all.”
© Thomson Reuters 2025
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
