ChatGPT Usage Hits Record as Studio Ghibli-Style AI Images Go Viral
- Corporate World
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
Updated: 7 hours ago
Surge in ChatGPT Users Driven by Ghibli-Style AI Art Trend
The demand for Studio Ghibli-style AI-generated images has led to an unprecedented surge in ChatGPT’s user base, app downloads, and in-app revenue, setting new records for OpenAI’s chatbot.
ChatGPT Sees Unprecedented Growth
The viral trend, which saw users generating and sharing AI-created images in the hand-drawn style of Studio Ghibli, caused ChatGPT’s servers to experience capacity constraints. The AI-generated images, inspired by the renowned Japanese animation studio founded by Hayao Miyazaki, flooded social media, drawing global attention.
According to Similarweb, ChatGPT’s average weekly active users surpassed 150 million for the first time in 2024. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed the meteoric growth, stating: “We added 1 million users in the last hour.”
This milestone mirrors the platform’s initial launch in late 2022, when it gained 1 million users in just five days.
Record-Breaking Engagement & Revenue
Data from SensorTower showed that OpenAI’s GPT-4o model update, which introduced enhanced image generation capabilities, contributed significantly to ChatGPT’s rising popularity. Key statistics from last week include:
11% increase in global app downloads
5% rise in weekly active users
6% growth in in-app subscription revenue
This surge demonstrates the growing appeal of AI-powered creativity, particularly in the realm of artistic expression and digital content creation.
Server Strain and Temporary Feature Limitations
The skyrocketing demand put ChatGPT’s servers under heavy strain, leading to temporary limitations on AI image generation. OpenAI acknowledged the technical issues, with co-founder Sam Altman warning users: “Expect new releases to be delayed, stuff to break, and for service to sometimes be slow as we deal with capacity challenges.”
While the trend has captivated millions, it has also raised legal and ethical questions regarding copyright infringement.
Evan Brown, a partner at law firm Neal & McDevitt, weighed in on the debate: “The legal landscape of AI-generated images mimicking Studio Ghibli’s distinctive style is an uncertain terrain. Copyright law generally protects specific expressions rather than artistic styles.”
Adding fuel to the controversy, Hayao Miyazaki’s past comments on AI art resurfaced. In 2016, he expressed strong disapproval of AI-generated imagery, stating: “I am utterly disgusted. I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all.”
OpenAI has yet to publicly address whether Studio Ghibli’s style was used to train its AI models or the potential copyright implications surrounding this latest viral trend.
As AI-generated content continues to evolve, questions surrounding intellectual property, artistic integrity, and ethical AI use will remain at the forefront. The unprecedented popularity of Ghibli-style AI art suggests that AI-assisted creativity is reshaping digital art and storytelling, but it also raises important discussions about ownership and originality in the modern era.
🚀 Stay updated for more insights on AI trends, legal challenges, and the future of digital artistry.
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