AI-generated images mimicking Studio Ghibli's iconic animation style have recently exploded across social media. However, a supposed "warning document" from Studio Ghibli, claiming these AI creations infringed on copyright, started making the rounds online, even tricking some media outlets. Studio Ghibli has since officially clarified, stating they never issued any such warning.
The whole phenomenon kicked off after US AI research firm OpenAI announced ChatGPT's new image generation capabilities. Soon, users were churning out Ghibli-esque images left and right, flooding social platforms.
Amidst this burgeoning trend, a user on X (formerly Twitter) posted on the 26th, claiming to have developed an app that could transform photos into "Ghibli style." But just a day later, the same user dropped what looked like a warning document from Studio Ghibli, alleging they'd been told to shut down operations. The document stated the app infringed on Ghibli's copyright and threatened legal action if it wasn't taken down. This post immediately blew up on social media, with numerous influencers resharing it, fueling its rapid spread.
However, after NHK reached out for verification, Studio Ghibli explicitly responded: "We have never issued any warning document." This confirmed the document was a complete fabrication. Yet, thanks to the lightning-fast spread of misinformation, some online media outlets jumped the gun, publishing incorrect reports claiming "Ghibli posted a request for the app to stop," leading to widespread public misunderstanding.
via： NHK