OpenAI’s ChatGPT experienced a temporary outage for several users worldwide, coinciding with a surge in demand for Studio Ghibli-style animated avatars.
The disruption left many users unable to access the chatbot, prompting concerns and discussions across social media platforms.
According to DownDetector, a website that monitors online service outages, 229 complaints were registered by users reporting issues with ChatGPT’s accessibility. The reports indicated that users faced difficulties in generating AI-driven avatars and other creative content.
While OpenAI has not officially addressed the reason behind the outage, many speculate that the increased load on the system due to high demand for AI-generated artwork may have played a role.
Users took to platforms like Twitter and Reddit to share their experiences, with some expressing frustration over the downtime and others joking about ChatGPT “taking a break” after processing too many artistic requests.
As OpenAI works on restoring full functionality, the incident highlights the growing reliance on AI for creative expression and how sudden surges in usage can impact service stability.
