ChatGPT’s Ghibli image craze sparks, Sam Altman say ‘can yall please chill this is insane our team needs sleep’

OpenAI’s latest update for ChatGPT, which now features native image generation, has triggered a surge in Studio Ghibli-inspired creations online. However, CEO Sam Altman has called on users to ease off, citing that the overwhelming demand is straining his team’s resources.

In a post on X, Altman urged, “Can yall please chill on generating images this is insane our team needs sleep.” In another response, he elaborated on the pressure the update has exerted on the company, remarking, “We just haven’t been able to catch up since launch so people are still working to keep the service up. biblical demand, i have never seen anything like it.”

This isn’t the first instance of Altman expressing concern over the impact of the image feature on company operations. Recently, he had to impose limits on image generation for ChatGPT Plus and Pro users, explaining that OpenAI’s “GPUs are melting.”

What’s New with ChatGPT’s Image Update?

While ChatGPT has offered image generation via text prompts for some time, the new update integrates this feature directly within the GPT-4o model. This integration allows for more detailed and accurate images by leveraging the same large language model that processes text queries. Previously reliant on external models like DALL-E 3, the chatbot can now draw upon its textual knowledge to generate images that better capture the user’s intent.

Initially available to ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team users, the update now also allows free users to “Ghiblize” their images. Although the Studio Ghibli style has gained notable popularity, the tool remains versatile, capable of producing various formats such as comics, posters, presentations, and infographics.

What is Studio Ghibli?

Studio Ghibli, founded in 1985 by Miyazaki Hayao, Takahata Isao, and Suzuki Toshio, is celebrated for its exquisite hand-drawn animation and compelling storytelling. With films like Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Princess Mononoke, the studio has become synonymous with dreamlike visuals, gentle color palettes, and profound narrative depth. Its commitment to traditional, labor-intensive animation has set a benchmark for quality in the industry.