Although not everyone is on board with this viral trend. Digital privacy activists and professionals are sounding the alarm on social media platforms, claiming OpenAI might be using this trend as a way to gather thousands of personal images for AI training. While many users are having fun with the feature, critics warn that they could unknowingly be handing over fresh facial data to OpenAI, raising serious privacy concerns.

Explaining the process of how AI models generate images, self proclaimed AI Engineer Thakur Harsh Singh wrote, “Upload your pics, but keep personal ones safe! It’s safe to use popular AI tools like GPT, Google, and Grok for your Ghibli image—assuming their claims are true.

The only thing is, just be cautious with lesser-known AI image generators (especially from unknown sources/Chinese ), as you never know how they handle your data. This video is meant to raise awareness so that you avoid sharing personal data with AI models in the future.

Right now, we don’t have a model that can create an exact replica of your image, but soon we might. So, you DON’T NEED TO WORRY much about it. As per the speed at which AI is evolving. It’s important to be cautious and think twice before uploading personal photos to any random AI tools.

Secondly, You don’t need thousands of images to train an AI model to generate custom images anymore! With recent advancements like DreamBooth Stable Diffusion , etc you can fine-tune AI models using just 10-12 images. These techniques allow AI to learn and recreate personalized images with minimal data. Be aware of how AI is evolving.”

Watch the video here:

Not just Harsh, many activists have urged that OpenAI’s data collection strategy is more than just an AI copyright issue. According to them, it allows the company to acquire voluntarily submitted images, bypassing legal restrictions that apply to web-scraped data.

Under GDPR regulations, OpenAI must justify scraping images from the internet under the legal basis of “legitimate interest,” which means they must implement additional safeguards to protect user privacy and ensure compliance. This includes demonstrating that data collection is necessary, does not override individuals’ rights, and follows strict transparency and accountability measures.

In a lengthy X post, Luiza Jarovsky, co-founder of the AI, Tech & Privacy Academy, said when people voluntarily upload these images, they give their consent to OpenAI to process them (Article 6.1.a of the GDPR). This is a different legal ground that gives more freedom to OpenAI, and the legitimate interest balancing test no longer applies.

“Moreover, OpenAI’s privacy policy explicitly states that the company collects personal data input by users to train its AI models when users haven’t opted out,” she wrote.

Most people haven’t realized that the Ghibli Effect is not only an AI copyright controversy but also OpenAI’s PR trick to get access to thousands of new personal images; here’s how:

To get their own Ghibli (or Sesame Street) version, thousands of people are now voluntarily… pic.twitter.com/zBktscNOSh — Luiza Jarovsky (@LuizaJarovsky) March 29, 2025

Himachal Cyber Warriors, which claimed to be a team of cyber security experts, wrote: “Think before you #Ghibli. That cute Ghibli-style selfie? It might cost more than you think. Your photo could be misused or manipulated. AI may train on it without your consent. Data brokers might sell it for targeted ads. Stay cyber smart. Your privacy matters.”

Think before you #Ghibli

That cute “Ghibli-style” selfie? It might cost more than you think.

Your photo could be misused or manipulated. AI may train on it without your consent. Data brokers might sell it for targeted ads. Stay cyber smart. Your privacy matters.… pic.twitter.com/aEjT3sHtTN — Himachal Cyber Warriors (@hpcyberwarriors) March 29, 2025

Be cautious before hopping on the next AI image trend, consider the risks. Check how to guard your privacy:

► Think twice before posting personal photos for AI-created images.

► Don’t post high-resolution pics on social media—they can be scraped for AI training.

► Instead of facial recognition, use PINs or passwords to unlock devices.

► Restrict camera access by checking which apps have access to it.

(This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.)

However, this feature is only available to ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Team, and Select subscribers. Free users can generate up to three animated images.

How to Create Unlimited Ghibli-Style Images for Free

You can use Gemini AI to generate stunning Ghibli-style images without limits! Here’s how:

– Visit the Gemini AI platform and log in.

– Type a short description of the image you want in the chat box.

– Submit your prompt, and let AI do the work.

– Your Ghibli-style image will be generated.

How to Turn Your Images into Ghibli-Style Art Using Grok

– Transform your photos into stunning Ghibli-style artwork with Grok! Here’s how:

– Open the Grok website or app.

– Click the paper clip icon to upload your image.

– Ask the AI to “Ghiblify” your photo.

– Your Ghibli-style image will be generated. 

Third-party Apps

You can also turn your photos into Studio Ghibli-inspired art using free AI tools like Craiyon, DeepAI, and Playground AI. Simply upload a picture or type a prompt like “portrait in Studio Ghibli style, lush forest background, soft colors”, and let AI do the rest!

These tools may not be as detailed as GPT-4o, but they still capture the dreamy, hand-painted charm of Ghibli’s world—flowing hair, soft colors, and beautiful landscapes. For more control, Artbreeder lets you mix and edit styles, though some features may need an upgrade.

What is Studio Ghibli? 

Studio Ghibli is a world-famous Japanese animation studio, founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki. Known for its beautiful hand-drawn animation and captivating storytelling, Ghibli has created some of the most beloved animated films.

Iconic movies like My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Princess Mononoke have enchanted audiences worldwide with their magical worlds and heartfelt stories.

How to Create Studio Ghibli-Style Images with ChatGPT-4o

– Works with Free Accounts: Simply sign in with your Google ID or create a new OpenAI account. – Fast & Easy: The AI chatbot generates images quickly, though the free version has some limitations.

Steps to Generate Ghibli-Style AI Images:

– Go to the ChatGPT website – Log in with your Google ID or create a new OpenAI account – Open the ChatGPT interface on your screen – Enter a prompt using the keyword Studio Ghibli to generate AI-stylized images – DALL-E powers the image generation to create stunning Ghibli-style illustrations

Try Free Alternatives for Ghibli-Style Art

You don’t need a ChatGPT subscription to create Studio Ghibli-inspired images! Free tools like Craiyon, DeepAI, and Playground AI let you generate AI art with different customization options. Just upload a photo or enter a prompt like “portrait in Studio Ghibli style, lush forest background, soft colors,” and let the AI bring your vision to life.

These tools may not have GPT-4o’s photorealistic accuracy but they do capture Ghibli’s signature charm—flowing hair, dreamy landscapes, and soft expressions. If you want more control, try Artbreeder, where you can mix images and adjust styles. Some features are free, while others may require an upgrade.