Ghibli-style AI art trend sparks privacy concerns, experts warn of data risks

The internet is buzzing with stunning Ghibli-style AI artwork, but experts are sounding the alarm over potential privacy threats linked to the viral trend.

Inspired by the timeless animation style of Studio Ghibli and fueled by OpenAI’s recent ChatGPT update, users are flooding social media with enchanting, surreal images. The trend spans from recreating iconic movie scenes to transforming personal photographs into Ghibli-inspired visuals.

However, alongside the digital creativity boom, privacy advocates are warning about significant risks tied to AI image generation.

According to Proton, a data privacy and security platform, the act of uploading personal photos to AI tools can have unintended consequences. In a statement on X, Proton highlighted that “once you share personal photos with AI, you lose control over how they are used since those photos are then used to train AI. They could potentially be repurposed to create harmful or defamatory content.”

The platform further stressed that many AI models, especially those designed for image generation, are trained using vast datasets, which may include photos featuring individuals’ likenesses without their explicit consent.

British futurist Elle Farrell-Kingsley also voiced her concerns on X, noting that sharing images or thoughts with AI tools can reveal metadata, location details, and other sensitive information. “If it’s free, you (& your data) are the price. If you’re fine with that, great, but it’s good to be aware,” she warned.

Privacy activists have increasingly criticised AI tools that generate Ghibli-style art, arguing that personal images may be exploited to train AI models, leading to a loss of user control over their data.