ChatGPT has reached 1 million users in just one hour after launching a new image-generation feature simulating the artwork of Hayao Miyazaki, despite the legendary director expressing disdain for AI-generated art. The surge in signups led to “biblical demand” that left the system struggling to keep up.
CEO Sam Altman said it took five days to reach 1 million users previously, but this latest launch collected another 1 million users in just 60 minutes. To mitigate the issue, OpenAI temporarily restricted access to the AI image-generation tool due to the overwhelming demand.
The new feature’s popularity can be attributed to a filter allowing users to create animations in the style of Studio Ghibli, which Miyazaki co-founded and is known for its iconic films like My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. However, Miyazaki has spoken out against AI-generated art, calling it an “insult to life itself.”
This development raises concerns about AI’s use of artists’ work without permission, with many accusing OpenAI and other companies of training large language models on their creations without consent or compensation.
Source: https://fortune.com/2025/04/01/sam-altman-chatgpt-signups-soar-hayao-miyazaki-image-generation-feature