Since the launch of ChatGPT, generative AI adoption amongst marketers has soared. Based on the success of its paid AI software, OpenAI is projected to hit around $12.7 billion in revenue this year, and surpass $29.4 billion in 2026, according to Bloomberg.
The arrival of the GPT-4o model in March 2025 brought with it advanced generative image generative capabilities.
This latest update allows users to create realistic images, diagrams, and logos from basic prompts, while handling up to 20 separate objects in a single image. Users have even been sharing their ChatGPT image prompts and swapping notes with others across social media.
As a result, ChatGPT experienced a sharp surge in image-related usage, putting a huge strain on the platform. According to Similarweb, the platform reached a milestone of 150 million weekly users as people flocked to jump on the latest trends.
Indeed, ChatGPT generated so many images that OpenAI’s Sam Altman felt the need to step in and ask people to take it easy!
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What’s the Studio Ghibli-style image trend?
Based in Japan, Studio Ghibli is one of the most respected animation studios in the world. Ghibli’s unique visual style has been responsible for iconic Japanese animated films including Kiki’s Delivery Service, Ponyo, and My Neighbour Totoro.
While the email data original source of the trend is unknown, droves of images popped up across social media platforms with what became known as the ‘Ghiblification’ treatment.
The trend stretched far and wide. People used the trend to get creative with images based on everything from novelty profile pictures to amusing twists on pop culture references—like this ‘Always Sunny In Philadelphia’ spoof from cryptocurrency expert, Kev.Eth.
These inspired iconic movie scene images from Mufaddal Durbar also earned droves of engagement and showcase the mind-blowing capabilities of today’s AI image generation platforms:
Acclaimed artist Karla Ortiz, who grew up watching Studio Ghibli films, is suing certain AI image generators for copyright infringement, stating that the likes of OpenAI have no regard for the talents or livelihoods of artists, and its use of the imagery is insulting and exploitative.
Whatever 5 tips to improve your website’s ux Studio Ghibli’s exact stance on copyright infringement, revered founder Hayao Miyazaki, who has been vocal about his resentment towards AI technology, has recently resurfaced in a video stating that trends like this are “an insult to life itself.”
What is the AI action figure doll craze?
The AI action figure craze (think Barbie or GI Joe) is another virtual generative image trend that took over social media during April.
Individuals, global seo work brands, and marketers took to ChatGPT to create packaged AI action figures of themselves using basic prompts. Most of these ‘action figures’ or ‘AI dolls’ include a doll-like version of the image’s creator placed within a classic display box with a mix of relevant accessories that represent the person’s interests or profession.
Here’s one created for the actress Brooke Shields that she shared on Instagram and got mentioned in the New York Times.