The Ghibli effect: ChatGPT hits one million users in an hour as free image generation rolls out

ChatGPT Ghibli

OpenAI has announced the rollout of its image generation feature in ChatGPT to free-tier users. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed the development in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “Chatgpt image gen now rolled out to all free users!,” said Altman in the post.

Altman revealed that the feature attracted one million new users within just an hour of its release to free accounts. “The chatgpt launch 26 months ago was one of the craziest viral moments i'd ever seen, and we added one million users in five days. We added one million users in the last hour,” said Altman in a social media post.

The feature, which allows users to create visually stunning images directly within ChatGPT, was initially exclusive to paid subscribers of ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team plans. However, following its successful launch and overwhelming popularity among premium users, OpenAI has extended this capability to its free-tier audience. The rollout began on March 29, and as of April 1, the feature is now available to all free users.

The image generation tool, powered by OpenAI's GPT-4o model, has captivated users with its ability to produce Studio Ghibli-style visuals and other creative outputs. Social media platforms have been flooded with enchanting anime-inspired images, as users experiment with the tool's capabilities.

“GPT‑4o image generation excels at accurately rendering text, precisely following prompts, and leveraging 4o’s inherent knowledge base and chat context—including transforming uploaded images or using them as visual inspiration,” said OpenAI in a blog post.

Despite its popularity, OpenAI had implemented certain restrictions to manage demand. Free-tier users are limited to generating three images per day, while paid subscribers enjoy higher limits.