OpenAI’s new image-generation tool inside ChatGPT is already breaking records. Since launching the upgraded feature on March 25, users have produced more than 700 million AI images in just one week.
This makes it one of OpenAI’s most successful product launches ever.
130 Million Users and Counting
Over 130 million users have tried the new image tool in ChatGPT, according to OpenAI’s Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap. He shared the stats on X (formerly Twitter), noting the team is working non-stop to handle the massive traffic.
“We appreciate your patience as we try to serve everyone,” Lightcap wrote. “The team continues to work around the clock.”
The speed of this adoption has shocked even seasoned AI watchers. In comparison, ChatGPT itself took months to reach similar usage milestones after its initial release in late 2022.
India Leads the Charge in Global Growth
Lightcap also revealed that India is now the fastest-growing market for ChatGPT. The country has seen a sharp increase in new users since the image generator launched, helping to fuel the global spike in activity.
This growth aligns with a broader trend—India’s rising influence in the global AI ecosystem. With more young professionals turning to generative tools, the country is quickly becoming a key market for AI innovation.
The Viral Power of Ghibli-Style AI Images
So, what’s driving this explosive growth? One standout reason: the tool’s ability to create hyper-realistic Ghibli-style images. Inspired by Studio Ghibli’s iconic animation style, users have been flooding social platforms with AI-generated visuals that look like scenes from beloved films.
These images have gone viral, sparking curiosity—and controversy. While many celebrate the creative potential, others are questioning the ethical limits of AI art.
Still, the buzz has made one thing clear: users want visual creativity, and they want it fast.
OpenAI Faces Growing Pains from Sudden Demand
The tool’s viral success has also created some headaches for OpenAI. CEO Sam Altman admitted that the surging demand has strained their infrastructure. Many users have reported slower responses and occasional outages over the past week.
Altman acknowledged the issues in a post, saying the company is racing to scale up capacity. “We’re working to scale up as quickly as we can,” he wrote.
In other words, success came fast—but it also came with a cost.
Why This Feature Matters for OpenAI’s Future
This image generator isn’t just a gimmick. It signals a shift in how people use AI—not just for writing or coding, but for instant visual storytelling.
And that’s a big deal.
As generative AI tools become more powerful, their role in everyday content creation will expand. People will use them for design, marketing, branding, storytelling, and even education. OpenAI knows this, which is why the company is pushing hard to improve the tool and keep up with demand.
This move also helps ChatGPT compete with other visual AI tools, such as Midjourney and DALL·E, both of which have strong followings. By baking powerful image features directly into ChatGPT, OpenAI is turning its chatbot into an all-in-one creative assistant.
A Glimpse into the Future of AI Creativity
The success of this launch shows just how much demand there is for tools that blend language and images. It’s no longer enough for AI to just write text. Users want multimodal AI experiences that feel rich, fast, and fun.
And they’re not waiting around. They’re creating millions of images every day—pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with AI.
While OpenAI still has work to do—especially when it comes to server stability—the momentum behind this feature is undeniable.
If anything, this could be just the start of a new era in AI-powered creativity.
