OpenAI has announced temporary restrictions on image-generation capabilities using its advanced AI model, GPT-4o, primarily due to a surge in demand associated with the creation of images in the style of Ghibli animations. This spike in usage has put significant strain on the company’s servers, affecting all users, including those who pay for the service.
CEO Sam Altman humorously commented on the situation via the social media platform X, expressing his delight at the community’s enthusiasm for Ghibli-style creations. However, he noted that the increase in requests was threatening to “melt GPUs,” a metaphor indicating that the servers could potentially overheat due to the high volume of activity.
In light of this technical challenge, OpenAI has decided to implement temporary speed limitations on image generation while engineers work to optimize the system’s performance. During this period, users may experience some rejections of image generation requests.
Just a day before these restrictions, free users were entirely prohibited from creating images with GPT-4o because of the excessive demand. Paid subscribers currently face limitations on generation speed, while free users will eventually have their access reinstated, albeit with a cap of three images per day, according to Altman. However, a specific timeline for the restoration of these services has yet to be confirmed.
Despite the announced limitations, the online community continues to engage actively, posting a variety of Ghibli-style images in response to Altman’s commentary, showcasing the popularity of this trend. The Ghibli movement thrives largely on the impressive capabilities of GPT-4o, which not only generates realistic images and accurately interprets text but also excels in mimicking various artistic styles, particularly the distinctive Ghibli aesthetic.