One user remarked, “After a long time, I see positivity on X because of people sharing cute images of their family and loved ones. Thanks, Sam.”
Responding to the trend, OpenAI’s chief executive officer, Sam Altman, acknowledged the platform’s typically negative atmosphere and expressed happiness over the temporary joy brought by the new feature. He stated, “This is generally a quite negative platform, so I am happy we were able to bring some joy temporarily.”
The surge in AI-generated images follows the rollout of OpenAI’s native image generation tool on March 25, 2025, for ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team subscribers. Unlike earlier versions, ChatGPT no longer depends on third-party models like DALL·E 3 and can now create images with 10–20 distinct objects in a single frame.
The overwhelming demand, particularly for Studio Ghibli-style visuals, has placed significant strain on OpenAI’s computing resources, with GPUs running at full capacity. In response, Altman appealed to users on X, saying, “Can y’all please chill on generating images? This is insane, our team needs sleep.”
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The feature continues to gain traction, with brands also leveraging AI-generated visuals for marketing campaigns, reflecting the growing appetite for AI-driven creativity.
However, copyright concerns remain. Hayao Miyazaki, 84, the renowned filmmaker celebrated for his hand-drawn animation and whimsical storytelling, has voiced scepticism about AI’s role in animation. OpenAI has yet to address these concerns.