OpenAI’s recent launch of a new image generator has stirred up quite a scene, from meme excitement to copyright worries.
After the introduction of “Images for ChatGPT” on Tuesday, a user on X pointed out that the tool produced a “handsome man” but failed to generate images of “attractive women.” This caught the eye of OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, who attributed the issue to a “bug” and assured users that a fix was on the way.
Next, a wave of images resembling the famous style of Studio Ghibli appeared online. Users on X shared Ghibli-inspired versions of their photos, popular memes, celebrities like former President Trump, and memorable scenes from movies like “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
Many users, including Altman, joined in the fun, with him changing his profile picture to a Ghibli-style version of himself. The official White House account also participated, posting a Ghibli-style image of a woman detained by ICE for crossing the U.S. border illegally.
Initially, the Ghibli-themed images seemed like a fun way to reinterpret familiar visuals, but things took a more serious turn.
Some OpenAI users began creating Ghibli-style images of significant historical events, such as JFK’s assassination, the 9/11 attacks, and World War II.
On Wednesday, OpenAI announced that it would start blocking requests for Ghibli-style images, taking a cautious stance by denying attempts to create images resembling living artists.
A spokesperson for OpenAI informed reporters that users could still generate images in broader studio styles.
Resourceful users discovered ways around these restrictions. In response, OpenAI limited the number of images users could generate daily on its free tier. Altman humorously mentioned on X that the surge in demand was causing the servers to “melt.”
Currently, it seems that the free version of ChatGPT is entirely denying image requests due to copyright issues.
While users enjoyed the new tool, a heated discussion emerged about whether OpenAI was improperly using the creations of artists like Hayao Miyazaki from Studio Ghibli.
Critics on X voiced their concerns about the Ghibli-style images, arguing that Miyazaki, a celebrated artist known for his detailed hand-drawn animations, invested immense effort into his work.
Ghibli is famous for its beloved animated films, including “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Spirited Away.”
Ed Newton-Rex, the CEO of Fairly Trained, a nonprofit that certifies AI companies for fair practices, called the situation a “turning point for AI protests.”
This controversy echoes last year’s incident with Scarlett Johansson, who threatened legal action against OpenAI over a voice chatbot that resembled her voice.
It raises concerns about whether this Ghibli situation will become another copyright issue for OpenAI, following numerous lawsuits from news organizations, authors, and musicians who claim their work was used to train OpenAI’s models without permission.
Newton-Rex expressed on X that “blatant and outrageous IP theft by AI companies has brought together authors and artists in anger.”
He added that “protests will likely increase as more professions feel the impact.”
There are also rising worries about what this new tool means for graphic designers and startups focused on AI-generated images.
Sebastian Siemiatkowski, CEO of Klarna, stated on X that he was “not as entertained as many others,” noting that OpenAI’s latest tool had “eliminated” some businesses and posed “serious risks for countless jobs.”
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