Ghibli and Art
As I write this blog, there is a lot of heat on the internet over Ghibli-style art generated by ChatGPT. Some marvel at AI’s ability to generate aesthetic images, while others lash out and call it a mockery of artists. I find this debate meaningless.
Ghibli’s cinema, with its breathtaking animation and heartfelt storytelling, is something AI can never truly replicate, no matter how advanced it gets. These generated images may be fun and amusing, but they lack the soul, craftsmanship, and human touch that make Ghibli’s art so special. The generative art we see today is a mere trend, and it shall fade with time, however the bigger problem is: ChatGPT generating images without adhering to copyright laws and content policies.
To artists and critics strictly opposing AI-generated images—do you really think a tech company like OpenAI is deeply concerned about theft? The reality is, much of what ChatGPT produces is derived from publicly available data, and who knows, possibly even scraped or copyrighted sources. With that in mind, would you be willing to stop using ChatGPT entirely? I mean if ethics is your only concern, why even bother?
After all, this is not the first time OpenAI was guilt of using copyrighted material. Rightfully so – it is not the only company using the data either, so the argument is out of the question. Sadly, this is nothing but a lost cause.
Speaking of lost causes, it’s not just Ghibli images sparking debates these days—comedy is stirring up chaos here in India. BeerBiceps aka Ranveer Allahbadia gets arrested for making a distasteful joke, while 44% of sitting MPs1 are facing severe criminal charges. Meanwhile, a mob vandalizes a comedy club for a joke Kunal Kamra made about a politician.
Kamra’s special, Naya Bharat is not just funny, it holds up a mirror to society and spits on it, exposing the hypocrisy and arrogance. It’s a sharp wake-up call for all of us to the reality we’re living in. What’s truly disheartening though, is the blatant disregard for freedom of expression in a country that claims to cherish it and calls itself the largest democracy.