Sam Altman teases improved version of ChatGPT image generator after Ghibli frenzy

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman on Wednesday teased an improved version of ChatGPT's new image generating feature, which has taken social media by storm over the past few days.

"y'all are not ready for images v2..." he said in a post on X.



OpenAI has added millions of users in the past week alone with its new image generation feature. Users unleashed a wave of creativity online, sharing Japanese Ghibli-style artwork created by ChatGPT from detailed prompts.

Users across the world recreated scenes from popular films such as The Godfather, Harry Potter and Star Wars as Ghibli-style portraits.

Here, at home, popular Hindi films, world news events and other photos received the same treatment.

ChatGPT’s average weekly active user base breached the 150 million mark for the first time this year, according to data from market research firm Similarweb.

Taking a shot at Elon Musk, Altman said the Ghibli trend has flooded the billionaire's otherwise negative platform with rare positivity.

Earlier only available to premium users, the image generator has now been made available for free to all ChatGPT users.

The government also shared images of prime minister Narendra Modi as Ghibli portraits, which Altman reshared with an Indian flag.

After going viral, these images have also sparked criticism. An old video of Studio Ghibli cofounder Hayao Miyazaki has resurfaced, in which he strongly opposed AI-generated animation, calling it “an insult to life itself”. His stance underscores the long-standing debate over AI’s impact on traditional artistry.