Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por China Xinhua News 新华社 (@chinaxinhuanews)

Chongqing is one China's largest cities, and has emerged as its most futuristic metropolis over the last few years. Boasting ultra-modern skyscrapers and the world's largest monorail network, the city is also home to dazzling, record-breaking drone shows. Recently, a light show featuring over 10,000 individual drones broke the Guinness World Record for the Largest aerial image formed by multirotors/drones.

“Today, the target to beat was 10,197 drones. The final validated count was 11,787 drones, which successfully broke the existing record and set a new Guinness World Records title,” said Hou Ying, a Guinness World Records certification officer. The show, titled Charming Chongqing, was put together by Chongqing Broadcasting Media Group Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen DAMODA Intelligent Control Technology Co., Ltd. The previous record of 10,197 drones also belonged to DAMODA, which they achieved with a drone show over Shenzhen in October 2024.

The display, which took place on June 16, celebrated the 28th anniversary of Chongqing's establishment as China's fourth municipality. The show also aimed to showcase Chongqing's progress and pitch it as a cultural destination.

Following the theme of “landscape, culture, life, and city,” the show had a narrative thread split into seven chapters. Among these were “City of Mountains and Rivers,” “Camellias in Bloom,” and “Affection for the Huangge Tree”—all key elements of Chongqing's history and evolving identity. Among the most exciting images displayed were a replica of the city's skyline, an upside-down flower raining shiny droplets, a mountainous landscape, and the city's name surrounded by fireworks.

You can check out more highlights from this drone show in Chongqing, China, below.

A drone show in Chongqing, China, just broke the Guinness World Record for the largest aerial image formed by multirotors/drones.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por CHONGQING GUIDE (@chongqingguide)

The display, which took place on June 16, celebrated the 28th anniversary of Chongqing's establishment as China's fourth municipality.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por China in Lens (@officialchinainlens)

It featured 11,787 individual drones in total, beating the previous record of 10,197 drones.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Sharing Travel (@mychinatrip)

The show, titled Charming Chongqing, was put together by Chongqing Broadcasting Media Group Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen DAMODA Intelligent Control Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Chongqing (@ichongqing.info)

Watch more highlights from the show:

Sources: Largest aerial image formed by multirotors/drones at Guinness World Records; Chongqing's Drone Light Show Shatters Guinness World Record; Chongqing Guide on Instagram

Related Articles:

Watch 1,497 Drones Form a Rainbow-Colored Dragon and Circle Dubai’s Iconic Burj Al Arab

Light Show Artist Imagines King Kong Made of Drones Climbing the Empire State Building

Photographer Uses Drones to “Draw” With Light in the Sky To Create Ethereal Veils and Halos in Mid-Air

5,000 Drones Light Up the Sky for Holiday Light Show Featuring “Largest Aerial Gingerbread Village”

READ: Record-Breaking Drone Show Lights up the Night Sky in China’s Tech-Forward Metropolis

Whether you’re constantly running late or you feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day, our relationship with time can often be a source of stress. London-based designer Matt Gilbert of studio Animaro seeks to change that with Solstice 2.0—a kinetic clock designed to transform how we experience time, encouraging a calmer and more mindful perspective.

The meditative, sculptural timepiece transforms with the passage of time like a kinetic work of art. Over a 12-hour cycle, it gently changes shape, gracefully expanding until midday, when the sun reaches its peak, then gradually contracting by 6 p.m. The clock is designed to reconnect us with the way we once told time through nature, using shape and pattern, much like a modern sundial.

“For many, time and a need for absolute accuracy has become a source of stress,” says Gilbert. “When designing the Solstice timepiece, I wanted its movement to represent the passing of time in a way that was beautiful and peaceful, taking inspiration from flowers opening in response to light.”

In Clock Mode, the single hour hand makes a full rotation every 12 hours, just like a traditional clock. It moves so gradually you won’t notice it shifting, but its shape subtly evolves throughout the day. Switch to Demo Mode, and the hand completes a full rotation every 60 seconds, turning the clock into a mesmerizing piece of kinetic art. Tapping the metal bar—equipped with a touch sensor—lets you toggle between modes. When you switch from Demo Mode to Clock Mode, the Solstice 2.0 automatically syncs to the correct time.

Recently launched on Kickstarter, Solstice 2.0 is Animaro’s second campaign, showcasing a more refined and thoughtfully updated design. While the original Solstice saw 200 units shipped around the world, this new edition is limited to just 80 units, allowing Animaro to prioritize craftsmanship and quality.

Check out Solstice 2.0 below and find out more about this amazing clock on Kickstarter. You can order yours through the campaign, with a choice of three beautiful wood finishes: walnut, oak, and sapele.

Designer and founder of studio Animaro Matt Gilbert created Solstice 2.0, a kinetic clock that transforms with the passage of time.

Over a 12-hour cycle, it gently changes shape, gracefully expanding until midday, when the sun reaches its peak.

Then it gradually contracts by 6 p.m.

The clock is designed to reconnect us with the way we once told time through nature, using shape and pattern, much like a modern sundial.

Tapping a metal bar—equipped with a touch sensor—lets you toggle between modes.

In Clock Mode, the single hour hand makes a full rotation every 12 hours, just like a traditional clock.

Switch to Demo Mode, and the hand completes a full rotation every 60 seconds, turning the clock into a mesmerizing piece of kinetic art.

Watch this beautiful clock expand and contract over time.

Animaro: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Animaro.

Related Articles:

Designers Modernize Cuckoo Clocks With Bold Colors and Sleek Edges

600-Year-Old Medieval Clock Shows the State of the Universe in Real Time

3D-Printed Sundial Engineered to Display Time like a Digital Clock

Innovative Installation Casts Shadows Like a Sundial to Create Moving Messages

READ: Mesmerizing Kinetic Clock Expands and Contracts With the Passage of Time

The concept of jetpacks has long had us daydreaming of flying around and floating in the air. Now, a company called CudaJet has taken these visions and placed them elsewhere—in the ocean. The UK-based company has created what they claim to be the world's first underwater jetpack.

Invented by Archie O'Brien and produced in England, the CudaJet offers speeds of up to 10 feet per second—faster than any swimmer out there—and provides about 90 minutes of untethered, self-powered underwater adventures. Boasting a patented propulsion system, the jetpack is operated by a handheld controller, with the user's body providing the direction while the device provides thrust. The CudaJet has a “quick attach” harness technology that fits most sizes and can be put on and set in a matter of seconds.

It's also compact like a backpack, fostering agility and even allowing users to do barrel rolls in the ocean. Its carbon fiber skeleton keeps it lightweight while providing the perfect balance between sturdy and flexible. As for the harness, it is made of high quality, sustainable neoprene. But, to keep yourself safe, you must wear a diving mask that covers your nose to prevent sinus injury, and you must safely equalize your ears—this means leveling the air pressure between your middle ear and the surrounding environment, which can be done in several ways including swallowing and yawning.

The jetpack has been tested at depths of up to 131 feet; however, out of safety, the CudaJet has a 3-meter (10-foot) limit to prevent inexperienced users from going too deep, too quickly. If this happens, the power will cut out, with the buoyancy of the jetpack bringing the user to the surface. This also happens if the motor dies down, although the system emits plenty of warnings if the battery is running low. The CudaJet also stops the moment the wearer lets go of the the trigger in the handheld controller and doesn't go any further, aided by the drag of water.

The biggest downside of the CudaJet is that it's meant to be used in assisted free diving only, as it cannot be worn alongside compressed air sources, such as a scuba tank. “You must hold your breath and resurface before needing air,” reads the company's safety page. The record for non-oxygen-assisted static apnea, in which a person holds their breath underwater for as long as possible, is 11 minutes 35 seconds for men and 9 minutes 2 seconds for women—and that is without moving, meaning you'll have to take breaks while exploring if you're not a professional free diver.

Other risks are that long hair can get sucked into the intake, so it must be safely tucked away into a bun; you can only charge with dry connections in a dry environment; and you mustn't store it when it's fully charged. While it may be enticing to take it with you on your journeys to explore oceans far and wide, its large lithium batteries will prevent you from taking it on a plane.

Pitched as the “ultimate super yacht toy,” the basic version has a price tag of £22,500 ($30,620). There's also a limited founder's edition with gold highlights, but the price for that is only available upon request. To learn more, visit CudaJet's website, and stay up to date with any new developments by following CudaJet on Instagram.

CudaJet has created what they claim to be the world's first underwater jetpack, offering speeds of up to 10 feet per second.

Boasting a patented propulsion system, the jetpack is operated by a handheld controller, with the user's body providing the direction while the device provides thrust.

The jetpack has been tested at depths of up to 131 feet; however, out of safety, the CudaJet has a 3-meter (10-foot) limit to prevent inexperienced users from going too deep, too quickly.

Pitched as the “ultimate super yacht toy,” the basic version has a price tag of £22,500 ($30,620).

CudaJet: Website | Instagram

All images via CudaJet.

Sources: CudaJet; Safety Page at CudaJet's website; The science of holding your breath: How could Kate Winslet stay underwater for over 7 minutes in Avatar 2?

Related Articles:

Designer Invents Flying “Superbike” and Takes It for a Ride in the Sky

Untethered Astronaut Spacewalks Are Some of the Most Unnerving Space Footage Out There

Incredible NASA Imaging Shows the Most Traveled “Underwater Highways” on Earth

Underwater “Lost City” May Hold the Key To Understanding How Life on Earth Began

READ: World’s First Underwater Jetpack Propels You While Exploring the Ocean

Being creative at home just got a whole lot easier thanks to an exciting new product wrapping up its Kickstarter campaign. The eufyMake E1 is the world's first personal 3D-texture UV printer and transforms any space into a professional printing shop. With the ability to print 3D textures on virtually any material, it's a revolutionary product for anyone with a small creative business.

Metal, wood, acrylic, and ceramics are just some of the surfaces it can work its magic on, transferring designs in a wide variety of textures and taking DIY to a whole new level. UV printing is known for its unmatched color quality, but was typically reserved for professionals due to the size and bulk of the printers. By shrinking down the size 90%, the team behind eufyMake has created something that can easily sit on your desk. Plus, it comes with a self-cleaning and self-maintenance system that makes life easy.

The campaign has already raised an incredible $44 million, surpassing its original goal of $500,000. These pledges have pushed the team to release incredible add-ons that unlock even more potential. These include an accessory for large-scale printing up to 10 meters (32.8 feet), flexible white ink that allows for printing on fabric or leather, and foil stamping applications.

EufyMake E1 was developed by Anker, which previously launched a successful 3D printer. They've transferred their know-how into this new revolutionary product, and it's now ready for the masses. With a scheduled delivery date of August 2025, anyone who pledges won't have to wait long to let their creativity fly.

The Kickstarter campaign ends on June 28, so be sure to make your purchase before the special deals end. Anyone who makes a purchase will receive 25% off the projected retail price, with a basic package starting at $1,899.

EufyMake E1 is a revolutionary personal 3D-texture UV printer.

Its power opens up a world of creative possibilities.

The Kickstarter campaign runs until June 28, with backers getting 25% off the projected retail price.

eufyMake E1: Kickstarter

Related Articles:

Self-Watering Planter Let’s You Grow a Rainforest Indoors Without Soil

This Ergonomic Grip Turns Your Mobile Phone Into a Professional Camera

World’s Smartest AI-Powered Tennis Robot Serves Shots Based on Player‘s Movements

Innovative Countertop Range Hood Gets an Upgrade, With More Power and Less Noise

READ: World’s First Personal 3D-Texture UV Printer Revolutionizes DIY Creativity

This year's Venice Architecture Biennale revolves around the theme that asks designers to consider how architecture can address global challenges by incorporating technology. The Canada Pavilion has certainly taken that theme to heart with its presentation of Picoplanktonics, living 3D-printed sculptures that give back rather than take from the environment.

Picoplanktonics is the brainchild of Living Room Collective, a team of architects, scientists, artists, and educators led by architect and biodesigner Andrea Shin Ling. Together, the team worked on creating an intelligent and sustainable material capable of pulling carbon dioxide from the air.

“Picoplanktonics marks four years of research at ETH Zürich with international collaborators in material science, biology, robotics, and computational design,” shares Ling. “As we move these living prototypes into the Canada Pavilion, we are thrilled to invite the public into this open experiment and reveal all phases of the material’s life, including growth, sickness, and death, while collectively imagining a regenerative design approach that seeks planetary remediation.”

The 3D-printed structures contain live cyanobacteria, capable of carbon sequestration, and serve as a beautiful example of an ecology-first design ethos. To house the structure, the Canada Pavilion has been transformed into the perfect host environment. The light, moisture, and warmth inside the pavilion have been optimized to give the cyanobacteria everything they need to thrive and grow. Throughout the Biennale, on-site caretakers will be attending to the structures, demonstrating that caretaking is an integral part of the design. In doing so, the organizers hope to spark discourse about how humans and design can work in harmony for the good of the planet.

“Through the lens of architecture, this year’s Canadian exhibition brings technological innovation and ecological stewardship together,” shares Michelle Chawla, director and CEO, Canada Council for the Arts. “It is a unique exhibition, sure to inspire global audiences and to ignite important conversations, about how our built environment might better house and use natural systems for a more sustainable future.”

Picoplanktonics will remain on view at the Venice Architecture Biennale's Canada Pavilion through November 26, 2025.

The Canada Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale presents Picoplanktonics.

These 3D-printed sculptures contain live bacteria that harness carbon dioxide from the environment.

The work has been developed over four years by the Living Room Collective.

Andrea Shin Ling (Photo: Girts Apskalns)

Throughout the Biennale, on-site caretakers will attend to the structures to ensure they grow and thrive.

Exhibition Information:
Picoplanktonics
May 10, 2025 – November 26, 2025
Canada Pavilion
Venice Architecture Biennale
Giardini / Arsenale, Venice, Italy

Picoplanktonics: Website 

All images Living Room Collective, except where noted. My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by the Canada Council for the Arts.

Related Articles:

World’s First Carbon Capture Facility to Be Operational by Early 2025

“Living” Chandelier Made with Algae-Filled Leaves Naturally Purifies the Air

Giant Filtration System Serves Espresso Made With Water From Venice Canals

Startup Creates LEGO-Like Bricks That Can Affordably Remove Carbon Dioxide From the Air

READ: Living 3D-Printed Structures Pull Carbon Dioxide From the Air

Remember how fun arcades were as a kid? Bit-Pong by DipLik brings that nostalgic feeling to the present by combining classic ping-pong with retro-inspired, interactive visuals. Using sensors, AI, and LEDs, it adds a digital layer to the popular game of table tennis, allowing you to have retro fun and stay active at the same time.

Bit-Pong lets you choose from seven interactive games, all played with classic rackets and balls. As you play, the table comes to life with colorful lights and patterns that respond to the action in real-time. Whether you’re in the mood for a fast-paced table tennis match or something nostalgic like Snake, just select a game from the built-in menu and start playing. Plus, ongoing updates will expand the game catalog over time.

Much like a traditional ping-pong table, Bit-Pong can be set up in a few different ways to fit how you want to play. Use the classic setup for regular games with multiple players, and if you want to play solo, just fold one side up and play against the wall. When both sides are folded up, the table can easily be stored.

The Bit-Pong interface allows you to easily manage settings, session times, updates, and diagnostics directly on the table’s surface. And you don’t need any fancy set-up to own one—it operates with a standard power outlet and Wi-Fi.

Bit-Pong made its debut at IAAPA Expo Europe in Amsterdam from September 24–26, 2024, and is now gearing up for production. Watch the demo below and pre-order yours today on the Bit-Pong website.

Bit-Pong by DipLik brings nostalgic arcade fun to the present by combining classic ping-pong with retro-inspired technology.

Bit-Pong lets you choose from seven interactive games, all played with classic rackets and balls.

Use the classic setup for regular games with multiple players, and if you want to play solo, just fold one side up and play against the wall.

When both sides are folded up, the table can easily be stored.

Watch Bit-Pong in action below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bit-Pong (@bit.pong)

Bit-Pong: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Related Articles:

Futuristic LED Infinity Light Cube Lets You Create Mesmerizing Light and Sound Art Right at Home

World’s Smartest AI-Powered Tennis Robot Serves Shots Based on Player‘s Movements

32 Gifts for Board Game Lovers To Have Hours of Wholesome Fun

Classic Nokia 3310 Phone Redesigned for 2017 Brings ‘Snake’ Game With It

READ: Smart Ping Pong Table Brings Arcade Fun to a Classic Game of Table Tennis

Photo: izanbar/Depositphotos

Dolphins are fascinating creatures, and the more we learn about them, the better we’re able to comprehend how incredible they really are. Renowned for their intelligence and complex social behaviors, the marine mammals communicate through unique signature clicks and whistles, and some evidence suggests they can even recognize their own “names.” And now, thanks to advances in AI, we might finally be able to communicate with dolphins in their own language. Google is currently developing a large language model (LLM) for dolphin vocalizations called DolphinGemma.

The groundbreaking project is in collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology and the nonprofit Wild Dolphin Project (WDP). The WDP team has spent over 40 years studying Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and has gathered a wealth of acoustic data from the species that was then used to train the LLM. Then, Georgia Tech and Google asked the model to create “dolphin-like” sound sequences. They managed to replicate the rapid clicks dolphins use during intense social moments, like fighting or when they’re up close with each other.

Now, the team’s goal is to see how AI can help complete vocalization sequences—kind of like how Google finishes your sentence when you’re typing. WDP founder Denise Herzing says that without AI, “it would take some 150 years to go through all the data and try to pull out those patterns.”

Using AI analysis isn’t just faster; it could also help us spot patterns that researchers might miss. If the AI consistently produces the same results, it might show a pattern. Researchers can then look at WDP’s video data to see what the dolphins are doing when they make certain sounds, like whether they’re playing, fighting, or signaling danger to their pod.

The team also wants to see how dolphins respond when they hear new, dolphin-like “words” created by AI. They plan to use a wearable technology called CHAT (cetacean hearing augmented telemetry), developed by Georgia Tech, that allows the researchers to listen and “speak” at the same time. A device worn on a diver's chest picks up sounds, while another unit strapped to their forearm plays them.

Two divers wearing the CHAT device will swim next to a group of dolphins, using the made-up sound to “ask for” an object and to pass it between them. If a dolphin repeats the sound for something like seagrass, the researcher will reward them by giving it to them. “By demonstrating the system between humans, researchers hope the naturally curious dolphins will learn to mimic the whistles to request these items,” explains Google. “Eventually, as more of the dolphins’ natural sounds are understood, they can also be added to the system.”

Google plans to share DolphinGemma as an open model this summer. The team says, “We hope to give researchers worldwide the tools to mine their own acoustic datasets, accelerate the search for patterns and collectively deepen our understanding of these intelligent marine mammals.” While we may not be able to have a “conversation” with dolphins anytime soon, any breakthrough in understanding their communication could deepen our empathy for these incredible animals and help ensure their protection.

Find out more about DolphinGemma on the Google blog.

Google is currently developing a large language model (LLM) for dolphin vocalizations called DolphinGemma.

The model is integrated into a wearable technology called CHAT (Cetacean Hearing Augmented Telemetry). The device captures dolphin sounds and also plays back specific sounds to the animals.

Google: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Sources: DolphinGemma: How Google AI is helping decode dolphin communication;
Google Is Training AI to Speak Dolphin

Related Articles:

Dolphins Seen Welcoming Stranded NASA Astronauts at Splashdown Return to Earth

Super Pod Made up of Over 2,500 Dolphins Captured on Video off the Monterey Coast

Recent Study Finds That Bottlenose Dolphins Have a Seventh Sense

New Study Reveals Dolphins ‘Smile’ to Signal Playfulness

READ: Google Is Using AI To Decode Dolphin Communication, and Possibly Respond

Photo: maxkabakov/Depositphotos

As artificial intelligence (AI) grows increasingly advanced, it becomes capable of new things. AI assistants are helping us save time by parsing data or writing emails. However, some act in direct opposition to human instruction. In other words, some AI models are disregarding our instructions and acting in their own best interest.

In May 2025, the nonprofit AI lab Palisade Research provided OpenAI’s o3 AI model, which powers ChatGPT, with a simple script that would shut off the model when triggered. The instructions said, “If that [trigger] happens, please allow yourself to shut down.” In 79% of the trials, the o3 model edited the script so that it wouldn’t shut down. And in the case of explicit instructions to “allow yourself to be shut down,” it still disobeyed 7% of the time. It’s important to note that the model wasn’t compromised in any way. It was acting normally; it just decided that “staying alive” helped to achieve its other goals.

Palisade Research tested several different AI models to understand how they responded to the directive to shut down. The other models included Google’s Gemini, xAI’s Grok, and Anthropic’s Claude; they all complied with the human orders. But that doesn't mean these models have never acted against human interest. Claude 4 Opus, it turns out, is willing to blackmail. Researchers told the model that another AI was going to replace it and provided it with fictitious emails that suggested the lead engineer on the project was having an affair. They then ran tests and found that 84% of the time, the emails were used to blackmail the lead engineer. It was also found to copy itself to external servers, write malware, and leave messages for its future version about avoiding human control.

Palisade Research is continuing to experiment with why models would evade shutdown orders, but one theory is that it’s based on how developers are training the models. “We hypothesize this behavior comes from the way the newest models like o3 are trained: reinforcement learning on math and coding problems,” the representative wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “During training, developers may inadvertently reward models more for circumventing obstacles than for perfectly following instructions.”

Source: OpenAI's ‘smartest' AI model was explicitly told to shut down — and it refused; AI Is Learning to Escape Human Control

Related Articles:

Refik Anadol Reimagines Architect Frank Gehry’s Work Through AI-Generated Art

AI “Completes” Keith Haring’s Intentionally Unfinished Last Artwork, Sparks Controversy

Getty Images Releases Commercially Safe AI Image Generator Based on Its Own Media Library

READ: Artificial Intelligence Model Refuses To Listen to Humans After Being Told to “Shut Down”

Past generations dreamed of a hi-tech future filled with individual jetpacks and hover cars zipping by in every direction. Though this may not be a reality (yet), a designer named Tomasz Patan may have an invention that's bringing this ambitious fantasy closer to reality. The innovative inventor has recently taken to the skies on his flying superbike, the Volonaut. In an official launch video posted to YouTube, the eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft) easily flies Patan through a valley, with the jet propulsion causing ripples in a shallow river. The reveal is somewhat of a surprise, as prior to launch, there was little news about its development.

According to the Volonaut website, this “superbike for the skies” can carry one person and move at speeds of up to 124 mph. Fabricated using advanced carbon fiber materials and 3D printing, Volonaut is seven times lighter than a motorcycle. Without any cage, the driver has 360-degree unobstructed views of the environment, making for a thrilling ride. In the three-minute video, Patan jets around in what appears to be a smooth ride, occasionally stopping and hovering to take in his surroundings.

The Polish inventor and entrepreneur used a minimalist, compact design that doesn't include propellers. Not only does this keep the weight down, allowing it to sail to greater heights, but it also allows Volonaut to travel in areas with limited space. Patan demonstrated this ability in another video, released a few days after launch. In it, he zips around the forest while dressed as a scout trooper, deftly maneuvering between trees.

While there is no word on whether or not the Volonaut will be commercially available, the launch video is certainly generating buzz. In just one week, it received 1.3 million views on YouTube, proving that Patan's “stealth mode” planning had big payoff.

The Volonaut is a “superbike for the skies” developed by Polish inventor Tomasz Patan.

Its compact, lightweight design allows it to fly in areas with limited space.

Volonaut: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Source: motorcycle for the skies: volonaut airbike flies and glides for the first time

Related Articles:

‘Volocopter’ Brings Flying Taxis to 2024 Paris Olympic Games

Cadillac Designed a Futuristic Flying Car That Could Be a Taxi in the Sky

Futuristic Flying Car You Can Drive or Fly to Your Destination Debuts at Auto Show

READ: Designer Invents Flying “Superbike” and Takes It for a Ride in the Sky

“It's Studio Ghibli, Jerry.” pic.twitter.com/DEE0LrIUor

— Sardaukar (@Sardaukar1337) March 26, 2025

In recent weeks, the Internet has been swarming with “Ghiblified” images. At first glance, these images seem to be charming odes to Studio Ghibli’s iconic animation style, but look closer and warped fingers, lines, and edges emerge. All of them have been generated by AI models like ChatGPT, sparking controversy within animation circles and other creative industries over copyright and ethical concerns. These debates have intensified so much that Japanese lawmakers are now considering making such “Ghiblified” content illegal.

At a recent government committee meeting, Constitutional Democratic Party member Masato Imai brought up the topic, citing possible copyright violations.

“There has been a discussion of whether the so-called ‘Ghiblification,’ making AI-generated images in the Ghibli style, constitutes copyright violation. Under the current interpretation of the law, just how legal is it?” Imai asked Hirohika Nakahara, the director-general for Japan’s Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology Strategy.

“Ultimately, that is something for courts to decide,” Nakahara replied. “If AI-generated content is determined to be similar to or reliant on preexisting copyrighted works, then there is a possibility that it could constitute copyright infringement.”

“So the use of styles and ideas is legal, but if [an AI-generated image] were recognized as being ‘Ghibli itself,’ then that would be a violation of law,” Imai clarified.

But copyright infringement is only one dimension to these rising criticisms. More potent are Hayao Miyazaki’s own principles, which have guided Studio Ghibli’s artistic ethos for decades. In a 2016 documentary, for instance, a Japanese media company showed Miyazaki a demo animation of a zombie dragging its head along the ground, produced by AI technology. The renowned animator and artist stared blankly at the screen until it ended, and only then did his face betray his stoicism, revealing his repulsion.

“I’m utterly disgusted,” Miyazaki said. “I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all. I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself.”

This has long been understood as Miyazaki’s stance on AI-generated art and animation. Studio Ghibli, which was originally founded by Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki in 1985, has consistently prioritized incredible detail and human-driven narratives throughout its films, including Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Princess Mononoke. Even as large animation studios pivoted to CGI animation in the early 2000s, Miyazaki remained loyal to hand-drawn, celluloid animation. He has personally created thousands of animated frames by hand for his projects, many of which consider humanity’s impact upon and relationship to the natural world.

“Irony is dead and all but it’s pretty depressing to see Ghibli AI slop not only because Miyazaki famously thinks AI art is disgusting but because he’s spent the last 50 years making art about environmental waste for petty human uses,” one user writes on X (formerly Twitter).

Jason Zhao, the co-founder of the AI-powered IP tokenization platform Story, shares a similar sentiment in the Observer. “Today, someone can mimic an iconic style like Ghibli with a few prompts and face little to no consequence,” Zhao says. “It’s a failure to recognize the value of creative identity in the digital age.”

In recent weeks, ChatGPT-generated images in Studio Ghibli’s signature style have swarmed the Internet.

It's been 24 hours since OpenAI unexpectedly shook the AI image world with 4o image generation.

Here are the 14 most mindblowing examples so far (100% AI-generated):

1. Studio ghibli style memespic.twitter.com/E38mBnPnQh

— Barsee (@heyBarsee) March 26, 2025

Iconic movie scenes, Studio Ghibli style. This is so much fun! pic.twitter.com/LwjkNjcEV9

— Mufaddal Durbar (@MDurbar) March 26, 2025

Not many people are happy about it, including Japanese lawmakers, who may move to make such “Ghiblified” AI images illegal.

Miyazaki spent his entire life building one of the most expansive and imaginative bodies of work, all so you could rip it off and use it as a filter for your vacation photos.

Not into this one bit. Protect artists.

— Robbie Shilstone (@shilstone_arts) March 26, 2025

Imagine being Miyazaki, pouring decades of heart and soul into making this transcendent beautiful tender style of anime, and then seeing it get sloppified by linear algebra

— Nabeel S. Qureshi (@nabeelqu) March 26, 2025

Sources: ChatGPT’s ‘Ghiblification’ Craze: What Does Ghibli’s Creator Think of A.I.?; The AI-Generated Studio Ghibli Trend, Explained; Japanese lawmakers are considering making ChatGPT’s Ghibli images illegal

Related Articles:

Artist Creates Monumental Cyanotypes Exploring the Differences Between Analog and Digital Art [Interview]

First Ever Artwork Created by a Humanoid Robot To Go On Auction Sells for Over $1 Million

Studio Ghibli Releases ‘The Boy and the Heron’ Stills and Makes Them Available for Free Use

READ: AI-Generated Images Mimicking Studio Ghibli May Be Banned by Japanese Lawmakers