In recent days, ChatGPT has become the focal point of a viral trend across Latin America following the launch of its new image-generating feature.

The tool, included in the latest version of OpenAI’s model, allows users to transform photos into illustrations inspired by the iconic Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli, known for films like Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and The Boy and the Heron. 

The official launch took place last Tuesday, when OpenAI introduced its “most advanced image generator yet,” a multimodal model capable of producing precise, accurate, and photorealistic results, including replication of well-known animation styles. Since then, millions of users across Latin America have uploaded photos of pets, personal portraits, and historic scenes, turning their memories into digital artwork. 

The flood of creative submissions caused OpenAI’s servers to temporarily become overwhelmed. Premium users, who have prioritized access to the feature, filled social media with illustrations ranging from historical memes to animated versions of sports icons like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi with their World Cups.

Even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman changed his profile picture on X to a Studio Ghibli-style portrait. 

“It’s incredibly fun to see people excited about ChatGPT images. But our GPUs are working overtime. We’ll temporarily introduce some rate limits while we improve efficiency,” Altman wrote on X, highlighting the scale of the phenomenon. 

Artists’ discontent with ChatGPT

However, this digital creativity surge has also drawn criticism from artists and creators. ChatGPT’s ability to mimic any artistic style without copyright regulations has sparked debates about ethical AI use across Latin America and globally.

Last year, more than 11,000 artists signed an open letter condemning the use of human-created art to train AI models without permission. 

In 2016, Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, expressed his disapproval of AI-generated animation, stating that he would never incorporate this technology into his work. Likewise, OpenAI has faced lawsuits from media outlets, writers, and visual artists for alleged copyright violations, though the company claims its goal is to provide users with “the greatest creative freedom possible.” 

For those who wish to generate their own Studio Ghibli-style images using ChatGPT, the process is straightforward: 

1. Access the ChatGPT website or mobile app. 

2. Upload a photo from your device. 

3. Ask the model to transform it with the prompt: “Make a Studio Ghibli-style version of this photo.” 

4. Review the generated image and request adjustments if needed. 

Currently, this feature is available in a limited capacity for free users, while Plus subscribers (USD 20 per month) can generate unlimited illustrations. 

The trend has positioned ChatGPT at the heart of cultural and technological discussions in Latin America, reflecting both the fascination with digital creativity and the need to establish clear boundaries to protect the rights of original creators.