OpenAI’s ChatGPT has reached a significant milestone, surpassing one billion users, as confirmed by CEO Sam Altman at TED 2025. This rapid growth is largely attributed to the viral popularity of the platform’s Studio Ghibli-style AI image generation feature. Introduced on March 25, this feature allows users to create whimsical, anime-inspired images reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films. The trend quickly gained traction on social media platforms, leading to a surge in user engagement and a substantial increase in ChatGPT’s user base. In fact, ChatGPT gained one million users in just one hour on March 31, highlighting the feature’s widespread appeal.
The Ghibli-style image generation feature has not only attracted new users but also significantly boosted user activity. As of March 2025, ChatGPT reported 400 million weekly active users, marking a 33% increase from 300 million at the end of 2024. This growth underscores the platform’s expanding global reach and its ability to engage users with innovative features.
The overwhelming demand for Ghibli-style images led OpenAI to implement usage limits, capping image generations at three per day per user to manage server load. CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the strain on the system, humorously urging users to moderate their activity to allow the team some respite.
While the feature has been met with enthusiasm, it has also sparked discussions about the ethical implications of AI-generated art. Critics, including Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, have expressed concerns about the authenticity and emotional depth of AI-created images. Miyazaki has previously criticized AI-generated art, describing it as lacking in empathy and a potential insult to life itself.
Despite these concerns, the popularity of the Ghibli-style image generation feature has had a positive impact on OpenAI’s financial prospects. The surge in user engagement has led to increased subscription revenues and app downloads, contributing to OpenAI’s valuation reaching $300 billion. Major investors, including Microsoft, stand to benefit from this growth, as the demand for AI-generated content continues to rise.
As ChatGPT continues to evolve, the success of the Ghibli-style image generation feature highlights the platform’s potential to engage users through creative and interactive tools. However, it also underscores the need for ongoing discussions about the ethical considerations of AI-generated art and its impact on traditional artistic communities.
