The emergence of AI tools that can transform photos into art reminiscent of Studio Ghibli has stirred up quite the debate. Some folks see this as a tribute to Hayao Miyazaki’s iconic style, while others are calling it AI-driven plagiarism. This has sparked conversations about creativity, ethics, and even environmental concerns. Notable voices like Vishal Dadlani and Armaan Malik have been vocal about their disapproval of this trend.
If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably noticed the flood of images styled after Studio Ghibli’s famous animation, made possible by ChatGPT’s image-generation capabilities. While some celebrate these as heartfelt tributes, others argue they diminish the hard work and artistry behind Miyazaki’s films. With AI models replicating these styles in a blink, the debate over creativity and copyright is heating up.
Critics, including Vishal Dadlani, have labeled this trend as “AI plagiarism.” He took to Instagram to express his concerns, pointing out both ethical issues and the environmental impact of AI technologies. Armaan Malik also shared his worries, noting how Ghibli’s unique artistic language is being misused.
Beyond social media, AI is making waves in Hollywood too. What was once the stuff of sci-fi is now part of movie-making, helping with visual effects, voice manipulation, and even performance tweaks. At the 2025 Oscars, AI played a role in Adrian Brody’s Best Actor win by refining his accent.
Despite AI’s growing presence, there’s significant pushback. Over 400 Hollywood stars, including Paul McCartney and Cate Blanchett, have petitioned the US government to protect copyright laws from AI’s reach. They argue that AI companies are eroding the protections that are crucial to the entertainment industry’s cultural and economic vitality.
The heart of the controversy lies in AI models using publicly available data, which often includes copyrighted materials, without explicit permission. As legal battles against tech giants ramp up, the entertainment industry is calling for stricter regulations.
AI’s potential to automate roles in the film industry is vast. According to ChatGPT, tasks like scriptwriting, storyboarding, and creating CGI crowds are at risk of automation. However, creative roles like directing and acting are still tough for AI to replicate, given their need for human creativity and emotional depth.
Filmmaker Amar Kaushik warns that AI could impact originality, emphasizing that true creativity comes from the human mind. Meanwhile, Hayao Miyazaki himself has criticized AI in animation as “an insult to life,” yet AI-generated content in his style keeps popping up. The ongoing challenge is figuring out where homage ends and appropriation begins, as AI continues to reshape the artistic landscape.
