Art

How Does AI-Generated Art Impact The Environment?

Open AI’s “Studio Ghibli” feature has sparked controversy with Studio Ghibli’s co-founder previously stating that “AI is an insult to life itself.”

Two weeks ago, OpenAI launched a new image generation technology called Chat GPT 4o which introduces more sophisticated, hyperrealistic image capabilities to its product offerings. Internet users were quick to turn to the company’s “Studio Ghibli Style” feature, which swiftly recreates any image into a Studio Ghibli-inspired aesthetic.

This new feature has added fuel to several debates questioning the unethical practices of producing AI-generated art, with Studio Ghibli’s co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki, previously referring to AI art as “an insult to life itself.” Little has been legalized on the licensing and copyright of AI-generated imagery, but there’s one thing that’s hard to deny: it’s terrible for the environment.

In 2024, FDM Group reported, “Digitalisation has resulted in a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change and global warming.” So, what happens when you bring art into the mix?

As the minds at Carnegie Mellon University published, “Making a [single] image with generative AI uses as much energy as charging your phone.” So, what starts as a trend to participate in, like in the case of “Studio Ghibli Style,” can quickly turn into over consumption of natural resources.

However, Studio Ghibli fakes aren’t the only trend contributing to this. Online use, from tweeting to iCloud storage, contributes to digital storage waste that negatively impacts global sustainability efforts.

For more information on OpenAI’s “Studio Ghibli Style” feature, check out this Hypebeast explainer below.