ChatGPT approaches one billion users as Studio Ghibli-style AI images double weekly activity

ChatGPT reaches nearly one billion users, driven by Studio Ghibli-style AI images.

: ChatGPT's user base soars to nearly one billion, fueled by a surge in demand for Studio Ghibli-style AI images that doubled its weekly activity figures. CEO Sam Altman disclosed that the number of active users had dramatically increased in a short period, attributing this rapid growth to recent updates in the image generation feature. These updates allowed for more sophisticated image reproduction, including the depiction of public figures and culturally sensitive content, leading to a significant spike in app downloads. Despite concerns over AI's workplace implications, Altman views this technological advancement as an opportunity for enhanced productivity.

OpenAI's ChatGPT is witnessing a staggering increase in its user base, with CEO Sam Altman indicating that the weekly active users have surged to nearly one billion. The catalyst for this explosive growth appears to be an updated image generation feature that allows users to create art in the style of the renowned Japanese animation studio, Studio Ghibli. This feature has doubled ChatGPT's weekly activity, leading to it becoming the most downloaded app in March. The trend emphasizes the significant impact of generative AI, a subset of artificial intelligence focused on creating content from algorithms, such as text, images, and audio.

Altman revealed at a TED talk that ChatGPT had initially garnered attention due to its capacity to evolve rapidly. Launching on November 30, 2022, as a GPT-3.5 model, it quickly gained traction, reaching 100 million users within two months. For context, TikTok required nine months to hit the same milestone. By August 2024, weekly active user counts had hit the 200 million mark, showcasing an upward trajectory indicative of the program's expanding global influence. As of April 2025, this number has ballooned, partially due to OpenAI's enhancement of the tool's image processing capabilities.

The reshaped image generation feature has enticed users towards the creative potential of producing images resembling Studio Ghibli’s art style. This craze inundated social media platforms with a torrent of animated images emblematic of the studio’s signature craftsmanship, causing the virtual canvas to melt OpenAI's servers. The perilous demand reportedly 'melted' the company's graphics processing units (GPUs), hinting at the technological strain instigated by such widespread adoption.

Moreover, the update has permitted the removal of certain restrictions on imagery. This change, controversial as it is, has enabled the software to create vivid images depicting public personalities and potentially contentious content. Although this may have contributed to the app's increased popularity, it raises ethical considerations regarding the implications of such unrestricted use of generative AI.

Sam Altman remains optimistic about AI's role in future workplaces. He suggests that AI tools, like ChatGPT, should not be seen as replacements for human workers but as catalysts for new capabilities, echoing historical patterns observed during past technological revolutions. The expansion of AI-driven capacities promises a redefinition of career expectations, positioning such advancements as opportunities to enhance human productivity rather than threats.

Sources: TechSpot, Forbes

Generative AIinnovationEntertainment