TLDR
- OpenAI implemented rate limits on ChatGPT’s new image generation feature due to overwhelming server demand
- CEO Sam Altman stated “our GPUs are melting” following viral “Ghiblified” image trend
- The company introduced the “high-quality” image generation tool on March 25
- Free tier users will soon be limited to three image generations per day
- OpenAI expects to more than triple its revenue to $12.7 billion this year
The Viral Trend That Crashed OpenAI’s Servers
OpenAI has temporarily introduced rate limits on its new image generation feature in ChatGPT after a viral trend pushed the company’s servers to their limits. The feature, which allows users to create images in various styles, sparked a wave of “Ghiblified” content across social media platforms.
Users have been creating images styled after Studio Ghibli’s famous anime films. These include classics like “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro.” The trend quickly spread across social platforms.
Server Overload Forces Action
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed the issue on March 27. “It’s super fun seeing people love images in ChatGPT but our GPUs are melting,” he stated on social media. This came just two days after he participated in the trend himself.
it's super fun seeing people love images in chatgpt.
but our GPUs are melting.
we are going to temporarily introduce some rate limits while we work on making it more efficient. hopefully won't be long!
chatgpt free tier will get 3 generations per day soon.
— Sam Altman (@sama) March 27, 2025
The company launched the upgraded image generation feature in ChatGPT-4o on March 25. The new capability quickly gained traction with users. Many shared their creations online.
Altman did not provide a specific timeline for how long these limits would last. He did mention that the ChatGPT free tier would soon get three image generations per day. This reduction aims to manage the system load.
High-Profile Participation
The trend attracted participation from several tech leaders. Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk joined in by sharing an image mimicking King Mufasa from Disney’s “The Lion King.” His creation featured a Shiba Inu dog in the Ghibli art style.
White House AI and crypto advisor David Sacks also participated. He shared an image of himself in the Studio Ghibli art style. These high-profile posts helped amplify the trend.
Guess who? pic.twitter.com/4VehAWsDxq
— David Sacks (@DavidSacks) March 27, 2025
OpenAI explained that rate limits help manage aggregate load on their infrastructure. “If requests to the API increase dramatically, it could tax the servers and cause performance issues,” the company stated on its rate limit explanation page. This measure helps maintain consistent performance.
Technical Challenges
Altman noted that the company is working to make the system more efficient. “We are refusing some generations that should be allowed; we are fixing these as fast we can,” he added in his post. This suggests technical issues beyond simple server capacity.
The image generation tool offers wide-ranging capabilities. It can produce diagrams, infographics, logos, business cards, and stock photos. Users can also use existing images as starting points for custom artwork.
The feature began rolling out to ChatGPT PLUS, Pro, and Team users on March 25. Free tier users can access it when using OpenAI’s 4o model. Enterprise and Education users will receive access next week.
Financial Outlook
Despite these technical challenges, OpenAI’s financial outlook remains strong. Bloomberg reported on March 26 that the company expects to more than triple its revenue this year. Their projection reaches $12.7 billion, according to a person familiar with the matter.
This growth comes as the company plans to release new models. Altman mentioned in February that his firm wants to ship GPT-4.5 and GPT-5 in the coming weeks or months. These upgrades will likely expand capabilities further.
The current image generation feature builds on OpenAI’s history with visual AI. One of the company’s first successful products was the DALL-E model launched in 2021. This was among the first artificial intelligence image generators.
OpenAI later integrated DALL-E into ChatGPT in 2023. The current feature represents an advancement of this technology. It offers higher quality and more customization options.
The viral response demonstrates strong user interest in AI image generation. It also highlights the technical challenges of scaling such services. Server capacity remains a limiting factor even for major AI companies.
OpenAI continues to balance feature availability with infrastructure constraints. The temporary rate limits represent a short-term solution. Long-term improvements to efficiency will be needed as user demand grows.
Stay Ahead of the Market with Benzinga Pro!
Want to trade like a pro? Benzinga Pro gives you the edge you need in today's fast-paced markets. Get real-time news, exclusive insights, and powerful tools trusted by professional traders:
- Breaking market-moving stories before they hit mainstream media
- Live audio squawk for hands-free market updates
- Advanced stock scanner to spot promising trades
- Expert trade ideas and on-demand support
