Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, recently defended AI-generated art following backlash over Studio Ghibli-style images created with ChatGPT. He argues that AI’s ability to lower barriers to creativity is a “net win” for society. In an interview posted on YouTube by content creator Varun Mayya, Altman spoke about the criticisms of AI-generated art.
This comes in the wake of a viral clip from 2016 featuring Studio Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki condemning an AI animation, calling it “an insult to life itself.” Despite this, Altman believes the benefits of AI in democratizing art outweigh the negatives. “The trade-off is worth it,” Altman said. He explained that 30 years ago, creating art required expensive and complicated equipment, whereas now, anyone with a smartphone and an idea can share their creations with the world.
If they have something interesting to say, they get it out there, and the world benefits from that,” he added. Altman acknowledged that AI has significantly changed the nature of art but maintained that increasing creative access benefits society.
Defending AI-generated creativity
Giving everyone more tools, making things easier, lowering the barriers to entry… does significantly increase the number of people that can contribute to society,” he said. The discussion comes on the heels of OpenAI’s release of a new image generator tool that allows users to transform everyday photos into art styled after Studio Ghibli. This led to a surge in “Ghiblified” images appearing online, many garnered admiration and criticism.
Critics argued that OpenAI appropriated Ghibli’s unique style, raising legal and ethical concerns. In response, OpenAI has since moderated its approach, restricting the ability to generate images in the specific style of living artists, though it still allows for broader studio styles. Altman further suggested that while AI might automate specific design tasks, it could also increase the overall demand for creative work.
“Taste still really matters,” he noted. We still need a lot of good graphic design in the world.” He speculated that while some jobs might be affected, those remaining might see increased value and compensation. Overall, Altman remains optimistic about AI’s impact on the creative industry, insisting that the broader accessibility and potential for innovation it brings are significant positives for society.
Image Credits: Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash
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