Are Studio Ghibli-inspired AI images harmless fun?


The National
  • English
  • Arabic

April 04, 2025

Are Studio Ghibli inspired AI images harmless fun?

With regard to Razmig Bedirian's piece Studio Ghibli-inspired AI images are going viral, but here's why they shouldn't (April 2): It should be a straightforward concept to grasp that using AI to create images in an artist's style without their permission is considered theft.

Zal Junaibi, Dubai

The only reason people like me have taken to using the Studio Ghibli filter is because we are in love with the artist's work. Maybe it would have been good if the artist made his own filter and laughed about it. The unique stories and characters will never be truly replicated by this programme. It doesn't take into account that Ghibli movies aren't identical. Each is unique. So maybe let the fans have their fun without anyone politicising their funny posts. Don't come after harmless social media users for using a filter we like of movies we like.

Sima B, Doha

Users should be careful and not forget that they are sharing images and sensitive information about themselves to AI-enabled servers.

Farhan Patel, Dubai

It should be okay for people to enjoy a dope art style without having to hear complaints even about this.

Nabil Hamideh, Los Angeles, California

If the artist is against it, then it shouldn't be promoted by ChatGPT

Timin Roy, Mumbai, India

Israel's ceasefire violations in Lebanon

With regard to the article Israel strikes Beirut for second time since ceasefire, killing four (April 1): What ceasefire is that? The one that Israel has violated so many times? A one-sided ceasefire cannot be considered a ceasefire at all.

Hasan G, Tyre, Lebanon

The relentless war in Gaza

With regard to Thomas Helm's report Opponents of Netanyahu issue desperate condemnations of Gaza bombing (March 18): Release the hostages. Stop this renewed ground offensive and bloodshed once and for all. Work out a permanent solution to this. Enough is enough, stop the slaughter of innocent people.

Nadia Kaur, Sharjah

An Eid tradition with neighbours

With reference to Mohamed Fathi's video about Eid sweets (April 1): Lovely to see this incredible lady keeping long-standing traditions alive despite inflation. It's remarkable to hear her say that for 40 years they have been gathering and preparing Eid sweets at home. May God bless this lady, Howaida Abdelaaty and her neighbours with good health and happiness to continue such beautiful and meaningful festive traditions.

Ismail T, Cairo, Egypt

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)

Christopher Robin
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Haley Atwell, Jim Cummings, Peter Capaldi
Three stars

While you're here
Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

THE BIO

Bio Box

Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul

Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader

Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet

Favorite food: seafood

Favorite place to travel: Lebanon

Favorite movie: Braveheart

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

Match info:

Leicester City 1
Ghezzal (63')

Liverpool 2
Mane (10'), Firmino (45')

World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

THE%20SWIMMERS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESally%20El-Hosaini%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENathalie%20Issa%2C%20Manal%20Issa%2C%20Ahmed%20Malek%20and%20Ali%20Suliman%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The Book of Collateral Damage

Sinan Antoon

(Yale University Press)

It Was Just an Accident

Director: Jafar Panahi

Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr

Rating: 4/5

Updated: April 04, 2025, 3:00 AM`