Sam Altman’s OpenAI has launched a new image generation tool that has taken the internet by storm. The technology, part of the latest Chat-GPT4o release, allows users to turn photographs and videos into the enchanting anime style of Studio Ghibli, the famous Japanese animation studio founded by Hayao Miyazaki. This new feature quickly caught the attention of social media users, leading to a flood of animated memes featuring well-known figures, including a playful depiction of Donald Trump as a character from The Lion King.
By midday, a new memecoin called “Ghiblification” surged in popularity, reaching a market cap of over $20 million. Even Elon Musk joined in on the fun, sharing his own Ghiblified image, showcasing the widespread appeal of this new technology. The phenomenon began late at night in Japan, coinciding with the viral spread of Ghibli-style memes on the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Miyazaki, the 84-year-old filmmaker behind classics like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, has expressed strong disapproval of AI technologies. In 2017, he voiced his concerns about AI’s impact on creativity, stating that it felt like an insult to life itself. His disdain for AI was evident when he reacted to engineers presenting their AI creations, saying he would never want this technology in his work.
In response to the surge of Ghibli memes, a video showcasing Miyazaki’s meticulous animation process went viral. The clip highlighted the extensive effort he puts into even the smallest scenes, with one particular four-second crowd scene taking over a year to animate. Miyazaki’s dedication to detail and craftsmanship stands in stark contrast to the rapid production capabilities of AI.
As the Ghibli meme trend grew, another animated project caught attention: a Ghibli-style trailer for The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring. Its creator claimed it took just $250 and nine hours to replicate the trailer, a process that once required a full team of artists and months of work. This shift highlights how AI is changing the landscape of animation, allowing individuals to create high-quality content with minimal resources.
The rapid advancement of AI technology has raised concerns in Hollywood. Over 400 industry professionals, including actors like Ben Stiller and Mark Ruffalo, sent a letter to the Trump administration urging caution regarding AI’s implications for copyright law. They argue that AI companies risk undermining the creative industries by exploiting copyrighted works without proper compensation.
Legal experts are also weighing in on the situation. Evan Brown, an intellectual property lawyer, noted that while style is protected under copyright law, there are questions about whether AI companies are legally allowed to use copyrighted material for training their models. The legal ramifications of these developments are still being debated in courts.
Sam Altman, usually a controversial figure, found himself celebrated this week as his technology gained popularity. He acknowledged the overwhelming response, joking that ChatGPT’s servers were "melting" under the demand. This moment marks a significant breakthrough for OpenAI, which has faced criticism in the past.
As memes continue to spread across social media, the future of animation and the role of AI in creative industries remain uncertain. With advancements happening rapidly, the question now is how society will adapt to these new technologies and what they mean for artistic expression.