OpenAI Caps Viral Ghibli Image Tool After GPUs Overheat
OpenAI imposes temporary rate limits on its new viral image generator as overwhelming demand strains server hardware. The popular tool raises fresh copyright concerns as users flood social media with Studio Ghibli-style creations.
OpenAI temporarily restricts its new ChatGPT image generator because overwhelming user demand literally melts the company's GPUs. CEO Sam Altman announces the upcoming rate limits on social media, noting that free users soon receive just three image generations per day while engineers work to improve system efficiency. The massive popularity of the new tool highlights the enormous computing power and energy required to run generative AI models.
The native image-generation feature, powered by the GPT-4o model, launches earlier this week to showcase highly realistic images and improved text rendering. However, users primarily embrace the tool to create viral memes in the distinct style of Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli. Social media feeds fill rapidly with Ghibli-style versions of people, animals, historical events, and even Altman himself, who changes his profile picture to match the trend.
This massive flood of AI-generated anime art sparks renewed debates over copyright infringement and artist protections. While OpenAI programs the model to refuse requests mimicking the style of living artists, the fact that Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki is still alive creates a glaring loophole in this safety measure. The situation unfolds as OpenAI continues to fight multiple ongoing copyright lawsuits regarding the unauthorized use of artistic works in its training data.