LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fans of Studio Ghibli were delighted this week when a new version of ChatGPT let them transform popular internet memes or personal photos into the distinct style of Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki.
Fans of Studio Ghibli, the famed Japanese animation studio behind “Spirited Away” and other beloved movies, were delighted this week when a new version of ChatGPT let them transform popular internet memes or personal photos into the distinct style of Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki. But the trend also highlighted ethical concerns about artificial intelligence tools trained on copyrighted creative works and what that means for human artists.
A New Era in AI Art
The new version of ChatGPT, a popular AI image generator, allows users to input their own images or memes and transform them into the style of Miyazaki's iconic films. This has led to a surge in Ghibli-style AI art, with fans and artists alike creating stunning images that pay homage to the beloved studio.
Concerns About Copyright Infringement
However, not everyone is celebrating this new era in AI art. Artist Karla Ortiz, who grew up watching Miyazaki's movies and is suing other AI image generators for copyright infringement, called it “another clear example of how companies like OpenAI just do not care about the work of artists and the livelihoods of artists.”
Miyazaki's Concerns
Hayao Miyazaki himself has expressed concerns about AI technology. In an interview, he said that he would “never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all” and described it as an “insult to life itself.”
Copyright Lawyers Weigh In
Josh Weigensberg, a partner at the law firm Pryor Cashman, said that one question raised by the Ghibli-style AI art is whether the AI model was trained on Miyazaki or Studio Ghibli's work. That in turn “raises the question of, ‘Well, do they have a license or permission to do that training or not?’”
The White House Gets Involved
On Thursday, President Donald Trump's administration jumped into the meme trend, using the White House’s official X account to post a Ghibli-style image of a weeping woman from the Dominican Republic recently arrested by U.S. immigration agents.
Artist Reacts
Artist Karla Ortiz was outraged when she saw the White House's post and called it an “insult” to Miyazaki's work. She expressed her hope that Studio Ghibli would sue OpenAI for copyright infringement.
The Future of AI Art
As AI technology continues to advance, it remains to be seen how artists and studios will navigate the complex issues surrounding copyright infringement and fair use. One thing is certain: fans of Studio Ghibli are going to have a lot more fun with their favorite memes.
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