A new internet sensation has taken social media by storm, with an AI-powered tool transforming photos into Studio Ghibli-style artwork. While the trend has fascinated users and even caught the attention of several celebrities, not everyone is on board with this digital craze. Music composer and singer Vishal Dadlani has voiced his strong disapproval, branding the trend as 'AI plagiarism.'
Vishal Dadlani on AI's Ghibli-style artwork
Dadlani recently took to Instagram Stories to criticise the viral trend, making it clear that he does not endorse the AI-generated adaptations of his likeness. He also urged his followers to refrain from tagging him in such posts.
“Sorry I'm not sharing any of the Studio Ghibli style images you guys have made of or for me. I just can't bring myself to support AI's plagiarisation of an artist's life's work," he stated in his note.
Beyond the ethical concerns, Dadlani also highlighted the environmental impact of artificial intelligence. “Not to mention, the environmental horror that those images are. Please do NOT make any more. Thank you,” he added, drawing attention to the high energy consumption associated with AI-generated content.
Also read: Spirited Away? ChatGPT Seems To Be Spotting 'Ghosts' (& Babies) In Ghibli-Style AI Photo Makeovers
Meanwhile, numerous Bollywood celebrities have embraced the trend. Actresses Kiara Advani and Parineeti Chopra shared their AI-generated Ghibli-style portraits on social media, delighting fans. Even Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan joined in, posting his own Ghibli-inspired images from a recent fan meet on his personal blog. “And Ghibli.. invades the world... in the reality of the realm of communication .. and the making of the ‘reel’ .. another now popular concept .. one which demands attention,” he wrote while sharing the images.
What is Studio Ghibli AI trend?
The trend emerged after an upgraded version of ChatGPT allowed users to convert their personal photos and memes into the signature animation style of Studio Ghibli, the legendary Japanese studio behind films like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. Fans were thrilled to see themselves reimagined in the whimsical, hand-drawn aesthetic pioneered by Ghibli’s founder, Hayao Miyazaki.