ChatGPT maker OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has a message for Ghibli art fans after they just 'melted' company's GPUs: We are ...

OpenAI has implemented urgent rate limits on image generation after a viral wave of Studio Ghibli-inspired AI images overwhelmed the company's graphics processing units (GPUs), CEO Sam Altman announced Wednesday.

The company's newly launched GPT-4o image generation model triggered an unexpected surge of user requests, particularly for transforming photos into the distinctive animated style of the renowned Japanese animation studio. Altman candidly addressed the technical strain on social media, stating bluntly, "Our GPUs are melting."

In response to the unprecedented demand, OpenAI has temporarily restricted image generation capabilities. “we are going to temporarily introduce some rate limits while we work on making it more efficient.” wrote Altman. He added that the restriction shouldn’t last long, “hopefully won't be long!”
As for the free-tier users, which Sam ALtman has already mentioned will be a little delayed, will get three images per day “soon.”

OpenAI has also implemented content restrictions, blocking generations in the style of individual living artists while permitting broader studio-style interpretations. The company maintains a "conservative approach" to artistic representations, continuously refining its policies based on real-world usage and feedback.
The viral trend of Ghibli-style transformations comes with a layer of irony, given the studio's historically critical stance on artificial intelligence. Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli's legendary creator, previously denounced AI-generated art as "an insult to life itself" during a 2016 presentation.
Although, Altman noted that ChatGPT is refusing some image generations that should be allowed. He noted that the team is wokring on fixing "as fast [they] can."