Hayao Miyazaki Slams AI Art: An Insult To Life Itself

While social media users are busy turning themselves into Studio Ghibli characters, a resurfaced video of Ghibli’s co-founder Hayao Miyazaki is going viral. In the clip, Miyazaki bluntly describes AI-generated animation as an insult to life itself. And frankly, it’s hard to disagree.

Ghibli-style AI Art Is Everywhere

If you've scrolled through X recently, you might think we’re all living in a Ghibli movie. Thanks to ChatGPT’s latest model, GPT-4o, people are generating whimsical AI images that mimic Studio Ghibli’s signature style.

Even OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman switched his profile picture to an AI-created Ghibli-inspired version. How very disappointing, huh?

In the resurfaced video, Miyazaki, known for timeless classics like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, makes it crystal clear how he feels about AI-driven art. He’s not a fan and his intellectual property being used without his consent is an insult to his life's work.

It’s Creepy, Not Creative

The video shows a team of animators showcasing their AI creations to Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki. The AI-generated animation features a disturbing, zombie-like figure performing bizarre movements. The team explained how AI can create motions that push beyond human imagination, making it perfect for grotesque video game concepts. Well, it doesn't sound groundbreaking, especially, not to Miyazaki.