OpenAI’s ChatGPT got a massive increase in users last week following the introduction of its image generation feature powered by the GPT-4o model as users rushed to generate Studio Ghibli-style images using its AI tool.
Initially launched for paid subscribers on March 25, 2025, the release of OpenAI’s image generation feature to free users was temporarily delayed due to overwhelming demand. However, as of April 1, 2025, the feature has been made available to all users, with free-tier accounts limited to generating three images per day.
The surge, which saw the chatbot surpass 150 million weekly active users for the first time this year, pushed OpenAI’s servers to their limits, forcing the company to impose temporary restrictions.
The trend exploded across social media, with users sharing AI-generated visuals inspired by the signature aesthetic of Studio Ghibli—soft pastel colours, hand-painted backgrounds, and whimsical character designs. The Japanese animation studio, co-founded by legendary director Hayao Miyazaki, is known for classics such as Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro.
The sudden wave of interest in AI art was unlike anything OpenAI had seen before. CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the spike in an X post, stating, “We added one million users in the last hour,” a rate far exceeding the chatbot’s original adoption speed in 2022.
According to market intelligence firm SensorTower, ChatGPT’s in-app subscription revenue and downloads hit record highs, with app downloads rising 11% and in-app purchases increasing by 6% compared to the previous week.
However, the rapid growth came at a cost. OpenAI’s infrastructure struggled under the pressure, with Altman admitting, “Our GPUs are melting.” To manage the load, the company placed limits on image generation, particularly for free-tier users, who were later restricted to just three image generations per day.
As ChatGPT and other AI-generated Ghibli-style images flooded social media, an old interview with Hayao Miyazaki resurfaced, adding fuel to the debate over the ethics of AI-generated art. The famed animator has long opposed AI in creative work, once stating, “I am utterly disgusted. I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all.”
Beyond Miyazaki’s philosophical objections, legal concerns emerged. AI-generated images raise questions about copyright infringement, particularly when mimicking a well-established artistic style. Evan Brown, a partner at law firm Neal & McDevitt, weighed in on the legal grey area, explaining, “The legal landscape of AI-generated images mimicking Studio Ghibli’s distinctive style is an uncertain terrain. Copyright law has generally protected only specific expressions rather than artistic styles themselves.”
OpenAI has not disclosed the specific data used to train its image-generation model, leaving some questioning whether copyrighted works played a role in its AI’s artistic abilities.
While OpenAI’s tool led the charge in this latest trend, it is far from the only player in the AI art space. Other platforms such as Grok, Fotor, and Hugging Face also offer users the ability to generate Ghibli-style images, sometimes for free. This accessibility further questions the sustainability and legality of AI-generated art as it becomes more mainstream.
The excitement around AI-generated imagery has also led to discussions about its long-term value. While many users enjoy the novelty, some question whether it has practical applications beyond social media trends. A user on X said that AI-generated art needs to evolve beyond “just a gimmick” if it is to be taken seriously as a creative tool.
The viral trend had a significant impact on OpenAI’s business. With ChatGPT’s adoption skyrocketing, the company saw a surge in revenue from its premium plans. The boom also coincided with OpenAI’s reported efforts to secure new funding, which could push its valuation beyond $100 billion.
Peter Oluka