Ghibli style AI art starts intense internet discourse: 'F*** AI'

After OpenAI released the most advanced version of their A.I. image generator, a trend began where people started generating their images in the style of the beloved Ghibli Studios.

Not only does this trend raise questions about copyright, but it also demonstrates what some call the frightening power of the technology.

Circulating along with the A.I. art is a video of the mind behind Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki who called it an “insult to life itself.”

“I am utterly disgusted,” he says in the video. “If you really want to make creepy stuff, you can go ahead and do it, but I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all.”

The CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman made a joke about the situation, writing, “Mostly no one cares for first 7.5 years, then for 2.5 years everyone hates you for everything. Wake up one day to hundreds of messages: ‘Look I made you into a twink Ghibli style haha’”

The trend comes amid rising concerns about the prevalent use of A.I. art over commissioning actual artists, threatening their careers more and more everyday.

It further raises questions about using A.I. art to create in the style of a beloved animator who would abhor the very idea. 

Robin Williams' daughter, Zelda gave her thoughts on the situation, writing, "People are gleefully sharing 'Studio Ghibli style' AI memes and photos, as though the man himself wouldn't absolutely despise the technological piracy and negative effects on our environment. Anyway, go watch Princess Mononoke in theaters tonight, and f*** AΙ."

One user critiqued the situation on X, saying, "The whole Studio Ghibli Al trend honestly gives me second-hand embarrassment knowing how hard Hayao Miyazaki has fought to retain the identity of his films and how many of you are this willing to make a farce out of decades of artistry because you don't actually value it."

"You will never be able to replicate Ghibli, no matter how "good" you think your Al generated trash looks, for it fundamentally lacks all that makes a shot great; emotion, depth, the heart and soul only visible in the labour of an artist who wanted to create this specific frame," added another.