Studio Ghibli fans were thrilled that a new ChatGPT feature would let them transform memes and personal photos into Hayao Miyazaki’s signature style. However, the trend sparked ethical concerns over AI’s impact on artists and copyright. Miyazaki, known for hand-drawn animation, has been critical of AI in animation.

Users shared AI-generated Ghibli-style images, including personal photos, famous images, and memes. OpenAI encouraged the trend, with CEO Sam Altman changing his profile picture to a similar image. The company stated it avoids mimicking living artists but permits broader studio styles.

Studio Ghibli has not commented, but Miyazaki’s past remarks resurfaced, calling AI animation an “insult to life itself.” Legal experts questioned whether OpenAI had the right to train its AI on Ghibli’s work. While “style” isn’t copyrightable, AI-generated works could still resemble copyrighted material.

Artists criticised OpenAI for exploiting Ghibli’s reputation without consent. The controversy intensified when the White House used AI to create a Ghibli-style image of a detained immigrant, fueling further backlash.

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