Over the past year, AI has been making its way into creative spaces once thought to belong only to human hands and minds. From writing and film-making to illustration and music, technology is now taking on roles we once believed were uniquely ours. But, the latest controversy surrounding AI-generated images that closely imitate the beloved style of Studio Ghibli sparks questions about creativity, authenticity, and what it truly means to be an artist.
The rise of AI-generated Ghibli-style images
AI-driven art generators have existed for years, but the recent explosion of Studio Ghibli-inspired images has brought the issue into mainstream conversation. OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o introduced an image generation feature that allows users to transform photos into illustrations resembling Studio Ghibli’s unique aesthetic. This quickly gained popularity, leading to an unprecedented spike in ChatGPT usage. Users flooded social media with AI-generated Ghibli-style images, from personal portraits to reinterpretations of famous memes.
While this might seem harmless to casual users, artistes and animation enthusiasts recognise deeper implications. Studio Ghibli, founded by legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, is known for its hand-drawn animation, deeply personal storytelling, and meticulous artistry. Each Ghibli film is a product of years of labour, passion, and a spiritual commitment to craftsmanship. The ability of AI to replicate this in seconds diminishes the value of the artistic process, reducing something deeply human into an algorithmic output.
Miyazaki himself has been outspoken about his disdain for AI-generated art. In a widely circulated video from 2016, he viewed an AI-generated animation and responded with visible disgust: “I am utterly disgusted. If you really want to make creepy stuff you can go ahead and do it. I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all.” His words resonate even more deeply today as AI tools continue to mimic, borrow, and, many would argue, steal from human artistes.
Ethical concerns and copyright violations
One of the most significant ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated art is the question of consent. AI models are trained on vast datasets scraped from the internet, which often include copyrighted works, personal illustrations, and original artworks, without the artistes’ knowledge or permission. This means AI is effectively “learning” from human-created pieces and generating new works that are often indistinguishable from those produced by real artistes.
The debate isn’t just about AI replacing artistes – it’s about the rights of creators to control their own work. If an artist spends years developing a unique style, should an AI be allowed to replicate it within seconds? Does this not constitute intellectual theft?
Several legal experts have pointed out that existing copyright laws struggle to keep up with the rapid development of AI. While companies behind AI tools claim that their models do not “copy” artworks directly, many illustrators argue these AI-generated pieces are undeniably derivative. Lawsuits have already begun emerging, with artistes pushing for stronger protections and transparency on how their work is being used in AI training models.
To understand the impact of this AI boom, we reached out to several illustrators who shared their thoughts on what it means for their craft.
“AI is not just a tool, it’s taking from us”
Srihari Wickramasinghe, illustrator and founder of Sri Arts, shared her frustrations about the rise of AI-generated art. “There’s a deep personal connection to every brushstroke,” she explains. “But AI? It can generate an image in seconds, often using artwork it was trained on, without the artist’s consent. The problem isn’t just about AI replacing artistes, it’s about ethics, respect, and the integrity of our craft. Art carries human experience, emotion, and storytelling, things AI simply can’t replicate. AI should support artistes, not exploit their work.”
Ravindu Ruwanpathirana, another artiste and designer, spoke about the emotional impact of AI in the creative industry. “I feel like AI is making the world soulless,” he says. “Human-made art is authentic, and it’s imperfect, that’s what makes it so deeply relatable. AI-generated art is often too perfect, too polished, and because of that, it lacks the warmth and humanity we connect with.”
“Over time, I worry this will drain the joy and emotion from future generations, making them more robotic, easier to control. That said, maybe this shift will create a renewed demand for real, handcrafted art, but it’ll likely be tied to personal branding. Artists now need to market themselves and stand out in a digital sea. Honestly, with the way things are going, the world needs more Ghibli vibes now more than ever.”
“I forgot what it feels like to create”
Ninusha Ranasinghe, author and poet, expressed her concerns about the impact of AI on her creativity. “AI made me lose all my creative thinking capabilities. The more I relied on it, the less I felt the need to think for myself. I actually wanted to finish my novel last year but couldn’t because I’d been working with AI for so long. It’s almost as if AI slowly replaces the creative process with instant results – taking away the struggle, the reflection, and the emotions that make art truly human.”
“I started to forget what it actually feels like to create, to imagine, to feel deeply. I can’t remember the last time I wrote a nice poem because we use AI tools every day at work.”
“AI art will always be AI art”
Illustrator Mafrah Uwais added, “AI art might look beautiful, even magical, but it lacks the soul, the struggle, the love that real artistes pour into their work. I understand the excitement of seeing yourself animated, the ease of creating something in seconds. But, as someone who’s spent years learning, trying, failing, and growing, it hurts to see that effort dismissed.”
“Most people don’t realise that a lot of AI art is trained on real artistes’ work, often without permission. And the sad part is… very few actually care. Because to many, art still isn’t seen as a real job. It’s just ‘pictures.’ But behind every frame of a Studio Ghibli film, behind every brushstroke of a hand-drawn piece, there’s time, love, and intention. AI can copy the look, but not the heart.”
“So while trends come and go, I hope people take a moment to truly see, acknowledge, and respect the humans behind the art. Because no matter how advanced AI gets, it will never feel what it means to create.”
What can we do?
The threat of AI is not limited to artistes and writers – it could impact any profession involving creativity, analysis, and human decision-making. If we do not act now, we risk a future where AI not only replaces creative jobs but dilutes human culture and originality.
Here’s how we can push back:
= Follow, commission, and buy from real artistes instead of relying on AI-generated content
= Demand laws that require AI companies to be transparent about the data they use
= Educate others on the ethical and legal issues surrounding AI in creative industries
= Use watermarking, encryption, and platforms that help prevent AI scraping
= Before using an AI tool, ask where it gets its data from and whether it is ethical
Right now, artistes aren’t fighting against technology, they’re fighting against how it’s being used. They’re defending the soul of their craft, the emotions, the struggles, and the human touch no machine can truly replicate.
Looking ahead, creativity isn’t just about using a machine to make something, it’s about tapping into what makes us human. It’s about the feeling, the imagination, and the connection we bring to our work that technology can never replace. As long as we hold on to that, the heart of creativity will always remain ours.
Originally Published on Ceylon Today