OpenAI Expands Studio Ghibli-Style AI Art to Free Users Amid Ongoing Backlash

The viral feature, now available with rate limits for free-tier users, continues to face criticism over copyright, ethics, and controversial applications.

OpenAI's GPT-4o update introduced Studio Ghibli-style AI art, which quickly became a viral trend across social media platforms.
The feature is now accessible to free-tier users with temporary rate limits due to overwhelming demand, as confirmed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
Critics, including Studio Ghibli fans, have raised concerns over copyright infringement, ethical issues, and the perceived lack of emotional authenticity in AI-generated art.
Controversial uses of the tool, such as generating images of sensitive historical and political events in Ghibli style, have intensified the backlash.
Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli co-founder, remains a prominent critic of AI art, calling it an 'insult to life itself' in resurfaced remarks.