Social media feeds are awash with whimsical, Studio Ghibli-inspired portraits as users flock to OpenAI-powered tools that transform ordinary photos into magical anime scenes. While the trend has gone viral, privacy experts are sounding the alarm: the fun may come at a cost, with personal data and biometric information potentially at risk.
The trend exploded after OpenAI and several third-party platforms launched tools that allow users to upload selfies or family photos and receive stunning Ghibli-style artwork within seconds. The hashtag #GhibliAI has trended globally, with celebrities and influencers joining the craze and millions of images shared across Instagram, X, and TikTok.
The technology behind the trend leverages advanced generative AI models trained on vast datasets of anime and Ghibli-style art, producing eerily accurate and charming results. For many, it’s a harmless, creative way to engage with friends and followers.
Uploading a photo for AI transformation often means sharing facial data—one of the most sensitive forms of personal information. This data could be stored, analyzed, or even sold to third parties without users’ explicit knowledge. Many AI art platforms have vague or complex privacy policies. Users may not realize their images could be retained for model training, marketing, or other undisclosed purposes.
Once uploaded, images can be vulnerable to hacking, unauthorized use, or deepfake creation. In some cases, user data could be cross-referenced with other online profiles, increasing the risk of identity theft or targeted scams. Current laws in many countries do not fully address the nuances of AI-generated content and biometric data, leaving users with little recourse if their data is misused.
OpenAI has stated that it is committed to user privacy and that data from its official platforms is not used to train future models without consent. However, many viral Ghibli-style generators are developed by third parties using OpenAI’s APIs, and their data practices may not be as transparent or secure.
A spokesperson for OpenAI advised users to “carefully review the privacy policies of any third-party platform before uploading personal photos” and to avoid sharing sensitive images if unsure about how their data will be handled.
The Ghibli trend is the latest in a series of viral AI-powered fads that blur the line between entertainment and privacy risk. As generative AI becomes more accessible, experts urge users to balance fun with caution, understanding that every upload could have long-term implications for their digital footprint.