OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently urged ChatGPT users to slow down as a surge in Ghibli-style image generation overwhelmed the company's servers. This appeal came after ChatGPT’s latest image generation tool, powered by GPT-4o, caused an unexpected spike in usage, putting immense strain on OpenAI’s infrastructure.

Social media platforms have been inundated with AI-generated artwork mimicking the dreamy aesthetics of Studio Ghibli. The viral trend has seen users transform everything from pop culture characters to personal portraits into the signature style of the iconic Japanese animation studio, leading to an unprecedented wave of image requests.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Altman humorously pleaded with users, saying, "Can y’all please chill on generating images? This is insane. Our team needs sleep."

When a user suggested that Altman should fire his team, he dismissed the idea, replying, "No thanks. In addition to building AGI, this team has managed to create one of the biggest websites from a cold start in just 2.33 years. They’re the best in the world—it’s just tough right now."

Another user warned that if OpenAI continued to reduce the model’s capabilities, people might lose interest. Addressing this concern, Altman reassured, "We’re doing the opposite of nerfing it. But still, please slow down a bit."

Earlier in the week, Altman acknowledged the growing demand for AI-generated images, admitting that OpenAI’s servers were struggling under the pressure. "It's amazing to see people enjoying images in ChatGPT, but our GPUs are overheating. We’re introducing temporary rate limits to improve efficiency, and hopefully, it won’t take long to resolve."

He also announced that free-tier ChatGPT users would soon be able to generate up to three images per day.

Studio Ghibli, co-founded by legendary filmmakers Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, is known for its breathtaking hand-drawn animation in classics like Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Howl’s Moving Castle. Now, AI-generated art inspired by the studio's signature soft color palettes, whimsical characters, and painterly backgrounds has taken over social media, as users eagerly reimagine themselves and famous scenes in the beloved style.