Studio Ghibli-style artwork has gone viral on social media, with users flocking to ChatGPT’s feature to create or transform images into Japanese anime-inspired versions. Celebrities have also joined the trend, posting Ghibli-style photos of themselves.
However, what began as a fun trend has sparked concerns over copyright infringement and the ethics of AI recreating the work of established artists instead of respecting their intellectual property.
While OpenAI has allowed premium users to create Ghibli-style images, users without subscriptions can still make up to three images for free.
The rise of this feature has led to debates over whether these AI-generated images violate copyright laws, particularly as the style is closely associated with renowned animator Hayao Miyazaki.
Intellectual property lawyer Even Brown clarified that the style itself isn’t explicitly protected, but he raised concerns that OpenAI’s AI may have been trained on Ghibli’s previous works instead of using independent sources, which could present potential copyright issues.
OpenAI has responded by taking a more conservative approach with its tools, introducing a refusal feature when users attempt to generate images in the style of living artists instead of allowing such images.
Despite this, the controversy continues, as artists like Karla Ortiz are suing other AI generators for copyright infringement. Ortiz has criticised OpenAI for not valuing the work and livelihoods of artists, calling the Ghibli trend a clear example of such disregard.
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CoreWeave, the Nvidia-backed AI infrastructure company, has reduced the size of its US initial public offering (IPO) and priced its shares below the initial range, raising concerns over investor interest in AI infrastructure.
The company will offer 37.5 million shares, 23.5% fewer than originally planned, with shares priced at $40 each, well below the lower end of the expected price range.
Despite strong backing from Nvidia, which committed to a $250 million order, the IPO has faced a tepid reception due to concerns about CoreWeave’s long-term growth and capital-intensive business model.
Investors have expressed worries over the company’s reliance on Microsoft’s shifting AI strategy, which could affect demand for its GPU chips. Additionally, CoreWeave’s high debt levels and lack of profitability have raised doubts about its financial sustainability.
The reduced IPO comes at a time when the US IPO market is struggling, with fewer equity deals and lower transaction values in 2024 compared to last year.
CoreWeave’s stock market debut, once seen as a test for the AI infrastructure market, now signals waning investor confidence in AI companies, especially those without a proven profit history.
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Two former Meta AI executives have secured $15 million in funding for Yutori, a San Francisco-based startup focused on developing AI personal assistants.
The funding round was led by Radical Ventures, with backing from prominent investors including AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li and Google DeepMind’s Jeff Dean.
Yutori aims to create autonomous AI agents capable of executing complex online tasks without human intervention. Unlike traditional chatbots, these AI assistants will handle real-world actions, from ordering food to managing travel plans, streamlining everyday digital interactions.
The company is also advancing post-training techniques to enhance AI models’ ability to navigate the web efficiently.
With a team of experts who previously worked on Meta’s AI projects, including the development of Llama 3 and Llama 4 models, Yutori is positioning itself at the forefront of AI-driven automation.
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Dartmouth College researchers have trialled an AI chatbot, Therabot, designed to assist with mental health care. In a groundbreaking clinical trial, the app was tested on individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), and those at risk for eating disorders.
The results showed encouraging improvements, with users reporting up to a 51% reduction in depression and a 31% decrease in anxiety. These outcomes were comparable to traditional outpatient therapy.
The trial also revealed that Therabot was effective in helping individuals with eating disorder risks, leading to a 19% reduction in harmful thoughts about body image and weight issues.
Researchers noted that after eight weeks of engagement with the app, participants showed significant symptom reduction, marking progress comparable to standard cognitive therapy.
While Therabot’s success offers hope, experts highlight the importance of balancing AI with human oversight, especially in sensitive mental health applications.
The study’s authors emphasised that while AI can help improve access to therapy, particularly for those unable to access in-person care, generative AI tools must be used cautiously, as errors could have serious consequences for individuals at risk of self-harm.
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Just months after predicting a booming future, US airlines are now grappling with economic uncertainty as rising tariffs and government spending cuts dampen travel demand. Consumers and businesses are cutting back on trips, forcing major carriers to lower profit forecasts for the first quarter.
The industry’s outlook for the rest of the year has also dimmed as fears of slow economic growth and high inflation persist.
The S&P 500 passenger airlines index has fallen 15% this year, with stocks of major carriers like Delta and United dropping around 20%. With demand slowing, airlines have begun reducing flight schedules to avoid fare cuts and protect profit margins.
Several airlines, including Delta, United, and American Airlines, have trimmed their April-to-June capacity, while United’s CEO has warned of further cuts if demand does not recover by late summer.
Adding to the industry’s woes, concerns over airline safety have surged, contributing to the travel slowdown. Meanwhile, US consumer confidence has plunged to a four-year low, and airfares posted their first year-on-year decline in six months.
While airlines remain hopeful that full-year earnings targets will hold, sustained weak demand during the peak summer season could force further adjustments.
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South Korea’s SK Hynix has reported that some customers are accelerating orders ahead of potential US tariffs on semiconductor imports.
Speaking at the company’s annual shareholder meeting, Head of Global Sales and Marketing Lee Sang-rak noted that this trend, combined with reduced customer inventory, has contributed to favourable market conditions.
However, he cautioned that it remains uncertain whether the demand surge will continue.
The US government is considering a 25% tariff on semiconductor imports, prompting fears of price increases and supply chain disruptions. Analysts at Nomura have observed preemptive stockpiling in response, though the final decision on tariffs is still pending.
Meanwhile, competitors Micron, SanDisk, and China’s YMTC have raised their memory chip prices due to strong demand from the AI sector.
SK Hynix remains optimistic about growth, particularly in the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chip market. CEO Kwak Noh-Jung stated that demand is expected to soar this year, with sales for 2025 already sold out and 2026 orders nearing finalisation.
He also dismissed concerns that Chinese AI startup DeepSeek’s low-cost models would slow demand for high-performance accelerators, arguing that AI advancements will drive further expansion in the memory chip industry.
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The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) suspended all trading activities for the afternoon session on Friday after a powerful earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar, sending tremors across Bangkok.
The exchange announced the immediate closure on its website, citing the impact of the seismic event.
The suspension affected all markets, including the SET, the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI), and the Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX). The decision was made as a precautionary measure following the quake, which caused concern among investors and businesses in the region.
Before the halt, the benchmark SET index was trading 1.05% lower at 1,175.45 points, marking an over one-week low.
The market had already been under pressure earlier in the session due to concerns over new US auto tariffs, adding to the volatility triggered by the earthquake.
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Japan’s national nuclear research agency has unveiled what it claims is the world’s first uranium-based rechargeable battery — a breakthrough that could open up new uses for vast stockpiles of depleted uranium. The battery, developed by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, successfully demonstrated charging and discharging capabilities using uranium as the core material to generate electricity.
The prototype, about the size of a small cup, uses a uranium-based electrolyte on the negative side and iron on the positive. With a 1.3V voltage comparable to that of a standard alkaline battery, the device maintained its performance over ten charge cycles, suggesting it is relatively stable in its current form.
That innovation could give a new purpose to the approximately 16,000 tons of depleted uranium stored in Japan and the estimated 1.6 million tons worldwide, which are currently unusable in regular nuclear reactors. Researchers also believe the battery could help store surplus electricity from renewable energy sources.
While promising, the uranium battery’s practical use will likely remain restricted to radiation-controlled zones like nuclear facility sites. The agency plans to work on scaling up the technology by developing a redox flow version starting in fiscal 2025.
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Euro zone banks must remain resilient and prepared for geopolitical shocks, including the risk of liquidity drying up amid volatile financial markets, according to Claudia Buch, the European Central Bank’s supervisory chief.
She highlighted concerns about the potential impact of policy reversals by the US government, particularly under President Donald Trump, which have unsettled investors and created uncertainty about future growth and stability.
Buch also pointed to the ongoing financial and political pressures arising from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the sanctions that followed.
She emphasised the need for banks to maintain sufficient capital, robust governance, and effective risk management systems in the face of potential asset quality deterioration and economic disruptions caused by geopolitical conflicts or sanctions.
Additionally, Buch noted the increasing threat of cybersecurity attacks, which have become more frequent and severe. The ECB’s annual report warned that geopolitical risks could strain liquidity and funding, particularly in foreign currencies, leading to higher borrowing costs and increased use of credit lines.
Buch called for progress in creating a crisis management and deposit insurance framework to protect depositors in the event of bank failures.
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WhatsApp has gained support from an adviser to the European Court of Justice in its fight against a higher fine imposed by the EU privacy watchdog.
The Irish Data Protection Authority fined WhatsApp 225 million euros ($242.2 million) in 2021 for privacy breaches.
The fine was increased after the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) intervened.
A lower tribunal had rejected WhatsApp’s challenge, saying the company lacked legal standing. However, WhatsApp appealed to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
Advocate General Tamara Capeta disagreed with the tribunal, recommending that the case be referred back to the General Court for further review.
The CJEU usually follows the adviser’s recommendations, and a final ruling is expected soon. This case could have significant implications for the fine imposed on WhatsApp.
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